South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has finalized technical modeling for the Gas Master Plan, a policy framework aimed at securing the country’s gas supply through diversified local and international sources.
Speaking at the Southern Africa Oil & Gas Conference (SAOGC), Thabang Audat, Chief Director of Energy Policy at DMPR, announced that the next steps include intergovernmental approvals and stakeholder consultations, with the goal of securing Cabinet approval.
The Gas Master Plan is expected to unlock major investments, particularly as Mozambique’s gas projects come online and offshore exploration accelerates in South Africa’s Orange and Outeniqua Basins.
Industry Perspectives:
- Paul Eardley-Taylor, Head of Oil & Gas at Standard Bank, emphasized that South Africa needs a grid-connected gas-to-power system, as it is the only G20 nation without one.
- Dr. Dax Driver, CEO of the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, advised that a flexible approach to the Gas Master Plan would be crucial for adapting to new discoveries and market shifts.
South Africa is also developing an Oceans Economy Master Plan, which focuses on maritime transport, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas exploration. Unathi Sonti, Chairman of the Maritime Business Chamber, confirmed that offshore energy remains a priority for South Africa’s long-term economic strategy.
Source: Energy Capital and Power
