Offshore South Africa venture investigates early production system

June 8, 2021
TotalEnergies and its partners in block 11B/12B offshore South Africa are assessing the feasibility of an early gas/condensate production system.

Offshore staff

VANCOUVER – TotalEnergies and its partners in block 11B/12B offshore South Africa are assessing the feasibility of an early gas/condensate production system.

According to one of the partners, Africa Energy, this could be designed for a phased development of fields across the Paddavissie Fairway, starting with last October’s deepwater Luiperd discovery.

Jan Maier, Africa Energy’s vice president Exploration, said: “The accelerated development timeline could significantly decrease the required capital expenditures to reach first production from block 11B/12B, which has existing nearby gas infrastructure and demand.

“The development…will have positive implications for the South African economy and will be critical in facilitating the country’s energy transition away from coal through a domestic natural gas supply.”

Block 11B/12B is in the Outeniqua basin 175 km (109 mi) from South Africa’s southern coast, in water depths ranging from 200-1,800 m (656-5,905 ft). The Paddavissie Fairway in the southwest corner of the block includes Luiperd and the play-opening Brulpadda discovery, with suggestions of a prolific petroleum system.

The original five submarine fan prospects identified in the fairway all have direct hydrocarbon indicators which were recorded on both 2D and 3D seismic data and intersected in the two wells drilled to date.

The joint venture expects to apply for a Production Right prior to expiry of the Exploration Right in September 2022.

06/08/2021