People demonstrate for electricity outside the Cape Town Convention Centre during the African Energy Week
Majors pull out of flagship South African gas projects
Without a pipeline of developments in place, the country’s energy crisis is poised to worsen
South Africa’s energy ambitions suffered another setback with TotalEnergies’ recent decision to withdraw from a number of offshore blocks. These included the locations of Luiperd and Brulpadda, the two gas fields many saw as the most promising potential developments to help plug South Africa’s chronic energy shortages. TotalEnergies is withdrawing from Block 11B/12B—site of Luiperd and Brulpadda—and its 45% stake in the offshore asset, in addition to pulling out of blocks 5, 6 and 7. The French major acknowledged the Luiperd and Brulpadda gas discoveries but said it “could, however, not be turned into a commercial development as it appeared to be too challenging to economically develop and m
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
