TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy entering South African offshore block

Two energy heavyweights, France’s TotalEnergies and Qatar’s QatarEnergy, have laid the groundwork to expand their presence in the Orange Basin by getting interests in a block off South Africa ahead of offshore exploration activities on this block. 

Thanks to an agreement with Africa Oil, Eco Atlantic’s Azinam, and Ricocure, TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy will acquire participating interests in Block 3B/4B offshore South Africa. This block, which is located within the prolific Orange basin, 200 km off the western coast of South Africa, is adjacent to the DWOB license operated by TotalEnergies (50%) alongside QatarEnergy (30%) and Sezigyn (20%).

Once this acquisition, subject to final approvals from relevant authorities, has been wrapped up, TotalEnergies will hold a 33% participating interest in Block 3B/4B and assume operatorship while QatarEnergy will hold a 24% stake. The remaining interests will be held by existing license holders, Africa Oil (17%), Ricocure (19.75%) and Azinam (6.25%).

Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice-President Exploration of TotalEnergies, commented: “Following the Venus success in Namibia, TotalEnergies is continuing to progress its exploration effort in the Orange Basin, by entering this promising exploration license in South Africa.”

The block covers an area of 17,581 square kilometers and is on-trend with TotalEnergies’ Venus-1 and Shell’s Graff-1, La Rona, and  Jonker-1X oil discoveries. With about 14,000 km of 2D seismic and 10,800 km² of 3D seismic over Block 3B/4B, Africa Oil has identified a large opportunity set of exploration prospects, with the majority being in about 1,500 m of water.

Dr Roger Tucker, Africa Oil’s Chief Executive Officer, remarked: “Attracting TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy as our new partners in Block 3B/4B is an endorsement of the exploration potential of the block. These opportunities are on trend with the discoveries in Namibia’s Orange Basin, including Venus in Block 2913B.

“Both companies have deep geological knowledge of the basin with successful nearby discoveries. TotalEnergies, as the new operator, also brings extensive deepwater drilling and development expertise.”

Furthermore, Africa Oil and its current Block 3B/4B partners have already started working on plans to conduct a drilling campaign on the block. Efforts are also being taken to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment process in preparation for permitting and drilling activity on the block.