AOW 2023 Programme Sessions

COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT: South Africa - Maximising Natural Resources to Support Sustainable Economic Devel

Since 2019, Total Energies’ discoveries in the Outeniqua Basin has positioned South Africa as a new exploration frontier and redrew the cards of the country’s energy security scenario. Newly found reserves can support decarbonization and industrialization at home, while encouraging additional exploration in frontier basins to the West (Orange Basin) and to the East (South Outeniqua). Meanwhile, onshore exploration and development is picking up: South Africa became an LNG producer in 2022 and is witnessing growing exploration for shallow conventional and coal-bed methane (CBM) gas.

• What are the prospects for additional exploration in South Africa amidst growing ESG opposition and concerns?
• How can policy address current bottlenecks and help unlock investments and value from the country’s oil & gas sector?
• What is the future of gas within South Africa’s energy mix (industry, transport, power)?
• What is South Africa’s main infrastructure requirements to successfully monetise domestic gas?
• What is the role of South African agencies and national companies in supporting the country’soil & gas ambitions? 

Financing for African Upstream Deal Flow

For buyers wanting to invest in Africa, access to capital (both debt and equity) is proving more challenging whilst several of oil majors and national oil companies look to run disposal processes. As traditional commercial bank financiers continue to make global announcements about reducing their exposure to oil & gas globally, and given that most (if not all) acquisitions of big packages of African upstream assets will require debt across the line, is it available and where is it going to come from?

• What are the key challenges to financing African E&P
• What do financial institutions require to continue lending?
• How can African companies better originate projects?
• Will it continue to get harder to finance these deals?