Page 40 - Energize March 2022

VIEWS AND OPINION

Powering African countries through the use of domestic gas has a number of advantages: barrel, play-opening exploration
• Importing LNG and/or oil has a much higher carbon footprint than using domestic gas. opportunities remain in frontier, high-risk
• It enables a just transition away from coal in countries such as South Africa where 80% of areas.
its electricity is generated from coal. Although there is no longer the space
• It provides a cleaner alternative to firewood and charcoal, used by more than 60% of for standalone explorers to build greenfield
families in sub-Saharan Africa for meal preparation and to meet other energy needs, due exploration portfolios – there is neither
to the absence of affordable alternatives. This is damaging to health and a significant the time nor the capital to support such
contributor to forest degradation. strategies – independents can still play an
important role in accelerating growth in
Natural gas should form part of a wider energy mix which embraces other low carbon energy countries with play-opening discoveries, by
sources. The role of the oil and gas industry in Africa can, and should be, broader than exploration pushing out the play to the riskier limits.
and development of oil and gas resources. We are increasingly seeing agreements between
governments and international oil companies to collaborate on investment in a multi-energy About Impact Oil & Gas
strategy that supports development of renewable projects alongside major oil and gas projects. Impact Oil & Gas is a pure exploration
For example, as part of the recent final investment decision for the Uganda-Tanzania company with a strategic focus on large
crude oil pipeline, the Kingfisher and Tilenga oil projects in the Lake Albert region of Uganda, scale, mid to deep water plays of sufficient
Uganda and TotalEnergies signed a deal to explore opportunities to develop renewable size to be of interest to major companies. It
energy projects. Initiatives such as this bring expertise as well as finance to the continent. currently invests in African oil and gas blocks
Africa has historically provided great opportunities for independents. Indeed, it has including Namibia, South Africa and the AGC
benefitted from their nimble and aggressive strategies and their ability to raise capital for Profond block in Guinea Bissau and Senegal.
higher risk, early entry projects. Companies such as Kosmos, Tullow, Ophir, Cove and Far (for Siraj Ahmed is the CEO at Impact Oil & Gas.
example) have been at the forefront of major, play-opening discoveries in Senegal, Mauritania,
Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania, leading the way for majors in frontier opportunities. Contact Impact Oil & Gas,
The role of independents in the sector is changing, however. New Africa-focused ir@impactoilandgas.com,
independents are chasing production (ILEX, mature and marginal fields), but the billion- https://impactoilandgas.com

A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE SUCCESS
ROCLA is South Africa’s leading manufacturer of pre-cast concrete products.

Surpassing 100 years of product excellence.

• Pipes • Retaining walls
• Culverts • Roadside furniture
• Manholes • Sanitation
• Poles

Including other related products within infrastructure development and related industries.

Visit us on www.rocla.co.za for our nationwide branches