SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

South Africa: Government calls for increased oil exploration in the Orange Basin

The South African government is urging the acceleration of oil exploration in the offshore Orange Basin, shared with Namibia, to reduce the country’s energy dependence.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The Orange Basin, located off the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, has recently revealed significant volumes of hydrocarbons. This discovery has generated growing interest from South African authorities eager to strengthen national energy security.

Government call for increased exploration

On February 19, Tseliso Maqubela, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) of South Africa, urged Parliament to facilitate permits for companies seeking to explore the Orange Basin. He emphasised the importance of national support to maximise the opportunities presented by this energy resource.

“In fact, the vast majority of the oil found in Namibia within this basin is located on our side of the border,” said Tseliso Maqubela. While no independent official estimates confirm this claim, the energy potential of the basin is considered significant.

Challenges and controversies surrounding exploration

Offshore oil exploration in South Africa faces notable challenges. Local communities and environmental organisations have raised concerns about the potential impacts on the environment and traditional ways of life. A study published in 2022 by the Academy of Science of South Africa (Assaf) highlights these issues.

Despite government support, the granting of permits to oil companies remains uncertain, reflecting a delicate balance between energy development and environmental concerns.

Initiatives by major industry players

International companies are increasingly interested in the Orange Basin. In March 2024, TotalEnergies, in partnership with QatarEnergy, acquired a stake in Block 3B/4B, located about 200 km off the western coast of South Africa. This block covers an area of 17,581 km² and is adjacent to the Deep Water Orange Basin block, also operated by TotalEnergies.

Meanwhile, Brazilian oil company Petrobras has expressed its intention to explore the Orange Basin, integrating South Africa into its hydrocarbon exploration activities on the continent.

These initiatives highlight the growing attractiveness of the Orange Basin for foreign investment, despite ongoing environmental and regulatory challenges.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Beijing transfers up to $8.4bn to Iran through parallel oil network
Ukrainian suspected in Nord Stream sabotage faces possible extradition
Wood Mackenzie: the UK can double North Sea reserves without breaching climate limits
Ethiopia launches $2.5bn refinery to reduce fuel import dependency
Shell warns of economic impact from halted offshore wind projects in the United States
Ukrainian strike cuts power to 5,400 homes in Belgorod region
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
French Academy of Sciences warns of economic risks linked to solar geoengineering
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
Federal shutdown threatens permit delays and energy projects in the United States
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
US energy agencies prepare to suspend operations amid budget deadlock
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
EMBER: Chile could save $15mn annually by reducing renewable energy losses
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Denmark increases energy security after unidentified drone flyovers
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
France: Lecornu rules out a freeze on solar and wind power
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait adds 14 GW of power capacity by 2031 to avoid shortages
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
Ignite Power joins the $270 million Pro Energia+ programme in Mozambique
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.
Brussels imposes a new fee system for monitoring energy markets
The European Commission strengthens ACER’s funding through a new fee structure applied to reporting entities, aimed at supporting increased surveillance of wholesale energy market transactions.
EDF faces €460bn investment programme as Court of Auditors warns the state
France’s Court of Auditors is urging clarity on EDF’s financing structure, as the public utility confronts a €460bn investment programme through 2040 to support its new nuclear reactor rollout.
Washington to return $13bn in unobligated energy transition funds
The U.S. Department of Energy will return more than $13bn in unspent funds originally allocated to climate initiatives, in line with the Trump administration’s new budget policy.
Trump threatens IEA with withdrawal if anti-oil stance is not revised
Under pressure from Washington, the International Energy Agency reintroduces a pro-fossil scenario in its report, marking a shift in its direction amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
Southeast Asia’s power demand drives massive integration of solar and wind
Southeast Asia, facing rapid electricity consumption growth, could tap up to 20 terawatts of solar and wind potential to strengthen energy security.
France: Emmanuelle Wargon takes the helm of ACER’s Board of Regulators
The President of the Energy Regulatory Commission was elected to the presidency of the Board of Regulators of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators for a two-and-a-half-year term.
Australia sets emissions reduction target of 62 to 70% by 2035
The Australian government has announced a new climate target backed by a funding plan, while maintaining its position as a major coal exporter, raising questions about its long-term energy strategy.
India secures a 15-year contract with the Seabed Authority
New 15-year agreement for the exploration of polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean, making India the first country with two licences and the largest allocated perimeter for these deposits.
Argentina puts 44% of Nucleo Electrica SA’s capital up for sale as part of its reform
The Argentine government launches a national and international tender to sell 44% of Nucleo Electrica SA, continuing its policy of economic withdrawal through capital markets.
US greenhouse gas emissions may plateau by 2030
A report by Rhodium Group anticipates stagnation in US emissions, a result of the political shift favouring fossil fuels since Donald Trump returned to office.
New failure of the Nigerian power grid triggers widespread outages across the country
A sudden fault on the national grid cut electricity supply to several regions of Nigeria, reigniting concerns about the stability of the transmission system.