Can Brulpadda find deliver on high hopes?

Total has made what could be a major discovery in South Africa, but there is a long way to go before the commercial prospects become clear

Total's deepwater Brulpadda find offshore South Africa is being touted as the long-awaited energy discovery that could help transform the country's economy and hasten the demise of coal as a power feedstock. But, while it promises to bring in valuable revenues and much-needed gas supply, the wider impact may be less far-reaching than some are predicting. In February, Total said it had opened up a "a new world-class gas and oil play" with a gas condensate discovery on its Brulpadda prospect on Block 11B/12B, located some 175km (109 miles) off Mossel Bay on the southern coast. The discovery could hold up to 1bn bl oe of gas and condensate light oil, according to Patrick Pouyanné, Total's chief