Recommendations for South Africa's first shale gas exploration licenses in the semi-arid Karoo Basin will be finalized, soon after environmental objections delayed the process, a senior government official said May 15.
Royal Dutch Shell Plc (NYSE: RDS.A), Falcon Oil and Gas Ltd. and Bundu Gas & Oil Pty Ltd. are among five applications being reviewed by the regulator, acting Petroleum Agency SA (PASA) CEO Lindiwe Mekwe told Reuters.
PASA will make recommendations to the ministry of mineral resources, which will take a final decision on the licenses as South Africa looks to augment dwindling offshore gas reserves and help diversify its energy mix away from coal-fired plants supplying most of it electricity needs.
"We anticipate that the minister will be in a position to make a determination during the second or third quarter," Mekwe said.
"If the decision is made this year, the exploration rights will be valid for a period of three years; exploration activities should commence within three years," she said.
Environmentalists have strongly criticized exploration prospects in the sparsely populated Karoo, renowned for its rugged scenery and which is home to species such as the mountain zebra and riverine rabbit, one of the rarest mammals in the world.
Recommended Reading
CEO: Continental Adds Midland Basin Acreage, Explores Woodford, Barnett
2024-04-11 - Continental Resources is adding leases in Midland and Ector counties, Texas, as the private E&P hunts for drilling locations to explore. Continental is also testing deeper Barnett and Woodford intervals across its Permian footprint, CEO Doug Lawler said in an exclusive interview.
BP: Gimi FLNG Vessel Arrival Marks GTA Project Milestone
2024-02-15 - The BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project on the Mauritania and Senegal maritime border is expected to produce 2.3 million tonnes per annum during it’s initial phase.
Proven Volumes at Aramco’s Jafurah Field Jump on New Booking Approach
2024-02-27 - Aramco’s addition of 15 Tcf of gas and 2 Bbbl of condensate brings Jafurah’s proven reserves up to 229 Tcf of gas and 75 Bbbl of condensate.
Sangomar FPSO Arrives Offshore Senegal
2024-02-13 - Woodside’s Sangomar Field on track to start production in mid-2024.
Tech Trends: Halliburton’s Carbon Capturing Cement Solution
2024-02-20 - Halliburton’s new CorrosaLock cement solution provides chemical resistance to CO2 and minimizes the impact of cyclic loading on the cement barrier.