Successful Luiperd hunt boosts South African gas hopes
Second major discovery improves prospects for bringing gas to market but is no panacea
Successful flow testing of South Africa’s Luiperd gas discovery towards the end of last year was more good news for the prospects of developing the discoveries so far in the country’s offshore block 11B/12B. But the challenges of finding customers and political risk remain. During November testing, the Luiperd 1-X well reached a maximum constrained flowrate of 33mn ft³/d (0.9mn m³/d) of gas and 4,320bl/d of condensate, an aggregate of c.9,820bl/d oe. But the absolute open flow potential of the well is expected to be significantly higher, according to Canadian-listed Africa Energy, a junior 4.5pc partner in the block. Consultancy IHS Markit sees Luiperd reserves in excess of 1bn bl oe, potent
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
