South Africa's offshore sector finally makes some waves
Total plans drilling campaign to establish scale of reserves
South Africa has been waiting for a major discovery to galvanise interest in its offshore oil and gas sector for years and Total last week provided one that could. But the government still needs to put in place a new regulatory framework for the industry capable of wooing investors and, with a general election in the offing, that may not be a rapid process. The French major said on February 7 it has made "a significant gas condensate discovery" on its Brulpadda prospect on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175km off the southern tip of South Africa, hailing it as "a new world-class gas and oil play". "The well encountered 57 metres of net gas condensate pay in Lower Cretaceous reservoirs
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
