TotalEnergies plans early production at S African find

 France's TotalEnergies plans to deploy an early production system (EPS) at the Luiperd gas discovery at Block 11B/12B off South Africa, its partner Africa Energy reported on November 9.

Using an EPS will significantly decrease the capital cost required to bring 11B/12B into production, by making use of existing infrastructure at an adjacent block in order to supply gas to customers in the Mossel Bay area.

TotalEnergies are now undertaking development studies, and preparing a field development plan and an environmental application. They aim to agree gas terms and apply for production rights before their exploration licence expires in September 2022.

Full-scale development at Luiperd and another find at the block, Brulpadda, is expected to go ahead as the gas market expands in South Africa. Africa Energy said seismic data confirmed large remaining exploration upside at the block.

"The development of Block 11B/12B will have positive implications for the South African economy and will be critical in facilitating the country's energy transition beyond coal with a domestic natural gas supply," Africa Energy said.

TotalEnergies operates 11B/12B with a 45% stake, while Qatar Petroleum has 25%, CNR international 20% and South African consortium Main Street 10%. Africa Energy owns 49% of Main Street. The group discovered Brulpadda and Luiperd in 2019 and 2020 respectively.