Latest news with #InvestInAfricanEnergy
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: TotalEnergies to Drill in 2026, Regulatory Reform Gains Momentum
TotalEnergies is preparing to begin offshore drilling in South Africa in 2026, pending final regulatory approvals, according to Mike Sangster, the company's SVP for Africa Exploration&Production. Speaking at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris, Sangster emphasized the company's ambition to expand its multi-energy strategy on the continent, with South Africa poised to play a central role in that vision. The announcement coincides with significant legislative developments in South Africa's oil and gas sector. In April, the government published the draft regulations for the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act, inviting public comment and signaling a renewed commitment to reform. The regulations will outline the procedures for implementing the Act – approved in November but not yet in effect – ushering in a more modern, investor-oriented framework for hydrocarbon exploration and production. Establishing a Fit-for-Purpose Framework For years, the lack of a clear and sector-specific legal framework has impeded South Africa's ability to attract sustained exploration activity and unlock its offshore potential. The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act aims to rectify this by establishing transparent licensing systems, defining state and Black Economic Empowerment participation and clarifying production-sharing mechanisms. Crucially, the Act seeks to create an enabling environment that balances investor interests with national development goals. It provides detailed guidance on the application and granting of exploration and production rights, introduces more predictable fiscal terms and offers mechanisms to manage environmental and social responsibilities. By aligning South Africa's regulatory framework with international best practices, the government is positioning the country to compete more effectively for operator capital, particularly as global exploration budgets become more selective and carbon-conscious. Igniting Interest in the Orange Basin South Africa's offshore acreage, particularly in the Orange Basin, has been gaining momentum on the back of transformational discoveries in neighboring Namibia. Within South African waters, the Brulpadda and Luiperd finds in Block 11B/12B remain the most commercially significant to date, estimated to hold more than 600 million barrels of oil equivalent. While TotalEnergies has since exited the block, citing internal portfolio shifts, the company's re-engagement with the broader South African market suggests continued belief in the basin's long-term potential. Last August, TotalEnergies officially became operator of offshore exploration Block 3B/4B, positioned southeast and on trend with neighboring oil discoveries, including the company's Venus discovery in Namibia. The Orange Basin represents one of the last untapped frontiers capable of delivering large-scale oil and gas volumes. With a more supportive regulatory backdrop taking shape, South Africa is well-positioned to attract the kind of deepwater investment needed to de-risk its acreage and build out its domestic gas infrastructure — a critical step toward energy security and industrial growth. Positioning South Africa for Investment at AEW 2025 As the government works to implement the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act, African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town offers a high-profile platform to promote the country's renewed upstream vision. AEW is expected to convene regulators, IOCs and service companies to discuss the commercial implications of the legislative overhaul and chart a path forward for exploration and development in South Africa. 'For companies like TotalEnergies – whose multi-energy strategy includes natural gas, renewables and decarbonized operations – a stable and transparent regulatory framework is key. Sangster's statement reflects growing confidence in South Africa's policy direction, and signals to the broader investor community that the country is preparing to welcome a new wave of responsible, large-scale investment,' says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
CORRECTION: Mauritania Moves to Private Power Model, Set to Receive Independent Power Producer (IPP) Bids Within Weeks
Mauritania is accelerating its shift toward a fully privatized power generation model, with bids due in the next two to three weeks for a new independent power plant tied to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. The country's Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mohamed Ould Khaled, made the announcement at the Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris on Tuesday. 'All new power generation projects in Mauritania will be private. State-owned companies will no longer be involved in power generation,' said the Minister. He added that two projects currently being developed as IPPs will be fueled by domestic gas and will contribute a combined 550 MW to the national grid over the next couple of years. The power sector reform is part of a wider transformation aimed at enabling Mauritania to harness its significant gas and renewable energy resources to power industrialization, expand electricity access and drive inclusive growth. 'We want to develop large-scale natural gas and renewable energy resources. We want to expand affordable, clean power access to our people and industries and power inclusive economic growth, especially to unleash our mining potential.' Mauritania currently has 57% energy access and aims to achieve full national coverage by 2030, according to the Minister. Gas from the GTA project – shared with Senegal – will play a central role in this transition, supplying enough fuel for a 250 MW combined-cycle power plant in each country during the project's first phase, he said. The Minister described Mauritania as uniquely positioned for energy leadership on the continent and beyond, citing its combination of gas, solar, wind and strategic proximity to Europe. He also highlighted Mauritania's position as the African leader in green hydrogen project development, backed by newly modernized regulatory frameworks. 'Mauritania holds the largest pipeline of green hydrogen projects in Africa, which are designed not only to export molecules, but to catalyze industrialization in Mauritania and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. We have the potential to produce 12 million tons of green hydrogen production per year, with wind speeds of 10 meters per second and amazing solar.' 'To support this transformation, we have completely modernized our framework,' the Minister continued. 'We have opened up the electricity sector to private investments, introduced a new local content policy, and implemented new PPP and investment codes. Additionally, we have launched Africa's first green hydrogen code, which provides clarity and long-term stability for investors.' Looking ahead, Mauritania's integrated energy vision includes the expanded development of the BirAllah gas field – another major deepwater discovery – along with subsequent phases of the GTA project to reach 10 million tons of LNG per year, cross-border electricity trade with neighboring countries and further development of its mining sector. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
TotalEnergies' Mike Sangster Talks Multi-Energy Strategy at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025
Mike Sangster, Senior Vice President for Africa at TotalEnergies, outlined the company's multi-energy strategy in Africa at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum in Paris. Speaking during a one-on-one conversation with America Hernandez, Energy Correspondent at Reuters, Sangster said that the company is committed to producing more energy in a sustainable manner. In the oil sector, TotalEnergies continues to invest in established markets such as the Republic of Congo and Angola as well as in emerging markets such as Namibia, Uganda and South Africa. According to Sangster, TotalEnergies' African portfolio constitutes half of the company's operated production globally. 'The largest part of our exploration budget is also in Africa,' he said. In South Africa, the company hopes to start drilling in 2026. The company is currently awaiting the requisite permits. In Namibia, the company is spearheading efforts to produce first oil by 2029 through its Venus project. A field development plan is currently underway, with plans to make a final investment decision by Q4, 2026. Given the complexity of the deepwater project, Venus will target oil production. 'The site is extremely remote, 300 km offshore and at a depth of 1,900 m,' Sangster said, highlighting that much of the associated gas discovered would need to be reinjected. Monetizing Africa's natural gas resources through LNG deployment and flare reduction represents a core part of TotalEnergies' African strategy. 'Part of our growth target is focused on LNG,' Sangster stated, adding that 'we finished routine flaring in Nigeria, Gabon and Angola. In the Republic of Congo, we will eliminate flaring this year.' In Nigeria, TotalEnergies is ramping up gas investments to support both local energy needs and exports. 'It's important to monetize gas and its reservoirs,' Sangster noted. 'In Nigeria, there are significant reserves and we are actively developing this sector. There are high-quality fields that can also serve export markets.' Beyond oil and gas investments, TotalEnergies' broader energy strategy includes the development of renewable energy projects. Sangster reiterated TotalEnergies' rebranding from an oil major to a multi-energy company, stating that 'It makes sense to expand integrated energy activities. We have invested in renewables, green hydrogen and even mining in Africa. The future of our industry is integrated energy combined with new technologies to meet growing demand sustainably.' Meanwhile, TotalEnergies is committed to supporting capacity building across the markets in which it operates. Sangster explained that through projects such as Tilenga, TotalEnergies 'has generated around 20,000 direct jobs in Uganda and Tanzania. We are also training 200 local people. These are high-paying jobs that will be there for the next 20 years.' In Nigeria, TotalEnergies works closely with local educational institutions to transfer skills and enhance capacity building. 'In Nigeria, we have the Petroleum Institute, and we're fully committed to developing [capacity] in the country,' Sangster said. These initiatives not only support the development of projects, but create tangible opportunities for local communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa's Oil Frontiers Urged to Accelerate Development at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025
African oil and gas markets must act swiftly to turn exploration wins into production success if they hope to emulate the rapid energy transformation seen in Guyana. This was the consensus from panelists speaking on the Exploring New Territories: Technology Innovation in African E&P panel at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris on Tuesday. 'My advice to Namibia is to capture the moment and do whatever you can to support companies, in terms of an enabling environment, to develop and produce. Great exploration success is nothing if it's not produced,' said Gil Holzman, CEO of Eco (Atlantic) Oil&Gas. Eco (Atlantic) has been active in Namibia since 2009 and currently holds four blocks in the Walvis Basin, along with Block 3B/4B in the Orange Basin, where it plans to drill a first exploration well by the end of this year or early 2026 with its joint venture partners. Last year, the company also acquired a 75% operating stake in Block 1 in the Orange Basin. Referencing Guyana's path to production, where over 13 billion barrels have been discovered and output is expected to reach one million barrels per day by 2026, Holzman noted: 'Proximity to the U.S. and the fact that Guyana didn't have existing infrastructure opened the door for international companies to set the tone – in line with PSCs – to bring in technology and expertise.' Drawing clear parallels between international success stories and emerging opportunities in Africa, Jean-Marc Kloss, Managing Director for West Africa at SLB, emphasized the role of global collaboration and talent mobility in accelerating project timelines. 'Fast-tracking development in Africa is possible,' he said. 'From exploration to discovery to drilling, there is a lot of learning, technology and people that we have brought in from Guyana. We are in a global environment.' He pointed to Brazil and Nigeria to underscore Africa's untapped potential and the need for greater project sanctioning. 'Brazil has 30 deepwater rigs – Nigeria has one. Brazil has 54 FPSOs – Nigeria has 14. There is huge potential, unbelievable resources in Africa,' Kloss said. 'There has been no sanction of a deepwater project in years – the first one was the $5 billion [UTM FLNG facility] last year.' Arthur Ename, Vice President, Global Accounts, Africa at NOV, emphasized the difference between drilling success and actual resource monetization. 'It's one thing to drill – it's another to produce the reserve that is underground. Eni did extremely well with [the Baleine project in Ivory Coast] by bringing infrastructure in-country that allowed them to start production very fast.' Moderated by Justin Cochrane, Director of African Regional Research at S&P Global Commodity Insights, the panel made clear that while Africa has entered a promising new chapter in exploration, translating that promise into value will depend on swift regulatory decisions, infrastructure planning and technology transfer. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Mauritania shifts to private power with 550 megawatt gas plant, bids to start within weeks
PARIS, France -- Mauritania is accelerating its shift toward a fully privatized power generation model, with bids due in the next two to three weeks for a new independent power plant tied to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. The country's Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mohamed Ould Khaled, made the announcement at the Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris on Tuesday. 'All new power generation projects in Mauritania will be private. State-owned companies will no longer be involved in power generation,' said the Minister. He added that two projects currently being developed as IPPs will be fueled by domestic gas and will contribute a combined 550 MW to the national grid over the next couple of years. The power sector reform is part of a wider transformation aimed at enabling Mauritania to harness its significant gas and renewable energy resources to power industrialization, expand electricity access and drive inclusive growth. 'We want to develop large-scale natural gas and renewable energy resources. We want to expand affordable, clean power access to our people and industries and power inclusive economic growth, especially to unleash our mining potential.' Mauritania currently has 57% energy access and aims to achieve full national coverage by 2030, according to the Minister. Gas from the GTA project – shared with Senegal – will play a central role in this transition, supplying enough fuel for a 250 MW combined-cycle power plant in each country during the project's first phase, he said. The Minister described Mauritania as uniquely positioned for energy leadership on the continent and beyond, citing its combination of gas, solar, wind and strategic proximity to Europe. He also highlighted Mauritania's position as the African leader in green hydrogen project development, backed by newly modernized regulatory frameworks. 'Mauritania holds the largest pipeline of green hydrogen projects in Africa, which are designed not only to export molecules, but to catalyze industrialization in Mauritania and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. We have the potential to produce 12 million tons of green hydrogen production per year, with wind speeds of 10 meters per second and amazing solar.' 'To support this transformation, we have completely modernized our framework,' the Minister continued. 'We have opened up the electricity sector to private investments, introduced a new local content policy, and implemented new PPP and investment codes. Additionally, we have launched Africa's first green hydrogen code, which provides clarity and long-term stability for investors.' Looking ahead, Mauritania's integrated energy vision includes the expanded development of the BirAllah gas field – another major deepwater discovery – along with subsequent phases of the GTA project to reach 10 million tons of LNG per year, cross-border electricity trade with neighboring countries and further development of its mining sector. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
