Africa Oil Corp. T.AOI

RE:RE:TOTAL ENERGIES TARGETS 180,000 BPD PRODUCTION

[hikari]

hikari wrote: https://www.upstreamonline.com/exploration/totalenergies-plan-for-wildcat-in-south-africa-s-orange-basin-given-a-boost/2-1-1647607

TotalEnergies plan for wildcat in South Africa’s Orange basin given a boost

Key government department approves drilling plan, with two conditions

TotalEnergies’ plan to drill a wildcat in South Africa’s part of the prolific Orange basin has been given a boost after a key government ministry approved the drilling operation, albeit with certain conditions.

The French supermajor is keen to explore the Deepwater Orange Basin (DWOB) block because it lies immediately south of its huge Venus and Mangetti discoveries in the basin’s Namibian waters.

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance party — which may end up forming a coalition government after this month’s elections — are both keen to see offshore exploration in the country, particularly off the west coast.

In October 2023, South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources & Energy (DMRE) granted an environmental authorisation for the TotalEnergies to drill an exploration well — the first of up to 10 wells — in DWOB.

However, third parties had a right to lodge a formal appeal against the DMRE’s decision, with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment (DFFE) receiving its eight compliant appeals by the mid-November deadline.

On 6 May, SLR Consulting — which is handling the DWOB environmental approval process on behalf of TotalEnergies — said that DFFE approved the drilling plan, with two conditions.

One is that the drilling plan will be stopped if a shipwreck or archaeological site is discovered during pre-drilling seabed surveys.

The second condition requires the appointment of a liaison officer to keep coastal communities informed of the drilling activities at regular intervals and who would be available to address questions and concerns.

TotalEnergies debut DWOB well will be drilled in a 9712-square-kilometre “area of interest” located between Port Nolloth and Hondeklip Bay, about 188 kilometres offshore at its nearest point and in water depths between 750 and 3100 metres