After a year of study and analysis, Royal Dutch Shell Plc has applied for permits that will enable the company to further explore South Africa’s Karoo Basin, according to a report by South Africa’s Sunday Times.
In Dec. 2009, Shell was awarded a one-year “technical cooperation permit” (TCP) by the country’s regulator, Petroleum Agency SA, to exclusively explore an 185,000 square-kilometer block in the basin.
Though Shell did not release any information about its findings, its re-application indicates that the company found something it wants to pursue. Shell has now honed in its focus on three contiguous blocks that cover approximately 90,000 square kilometers in central South Africa.
Shell is not the only company that has expressed interest in the Karoo Basin. Currently, Chesapeake Energy Corp., Statoil and Sasol have also had an eye on the prospect.
Though Petroleum Agency SA is still reviewing applications, Shell is at work putting together an environmental management plan as well as public consultations. There is no information on when the application review process will be completed.
Recommended Reading
NGL Growth Leads Enterprise Product Partners to Strong Fourth Quarter
2024-02-02 - Enterprise Product Partners executives are still waiting to receive final federal approval to go ahead with the company’s Sea Port Terminal Project.
Enbridge Advances Expansion of Permian’s Gray Oak Pipeline
2024-02-13 - In its fourth-quarter earnings call, Enbridge also said the Mainline pipeline system tolling agreement is awaiting regulatory approval from a Canadian regulatory agency.
After Megamerger, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Rail Ends 2023 on High
2024-02-02 - After the historic merger of two railways in April, revenues reached CA$3.8B for fourth-quarter 2023.
Canadian Natural Resources Boosting Production in Oil Sands
2024-03-04 - Canadian Natural Resources will increase its quarterly dividend following record production volumes in the quarter.
Moda Midstream II Receives Financial Commitment for Next Round of Development
2024-03-20 - Kingwood, Texas-based Moda Midstream II announced on March 20 that it received an equity commitment from EnCap Flatrock Midstream.