South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to Speak at African Energy Week 2025 Amid Upstream Development Momentum

Strategic Insights -

South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, will deliver key insights at the African Energy Week (AEW) 2025, scheduled to take place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3. The event marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to advance oil, gas, and infrastructure development, seeking to address economic challenges by monetizing untapped energy resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minister Gwede Mantashe's participation at AEW 2025 reflects the country's commitment to engaging global investors and advancing the development of South Africa's energy resources.
  • South Africa has been revising its policies under efforts to secure foreign capital and drive projects forward, including the launch of the South African National Petroleum Company and the implementation of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act.
  • The country is advancing offshore oil and gas exploration, with the Orange Basin holding significant promise for commercial finds, similar to those made in neighboring Namibia.
  • Energy majors Shell and TotalEnergies are set to drill exploration and appraisal wells in the Orange Basin, which could lead to play-opening discoveries.
  • Recent Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activity in South Africa reflects a strong international drive to unlock the country's potential oil and gas resources, with companies like Eco Atlantic, TotalEnergies, and QatarEnergy acquiring participating interests in various blocks.
  • Ongoing exploration projects are poised to reposition the country as an oil and gas producing market, while onshore gas monetization projects, such as the Virginia Gas Project, are expected to support economic growth.
  • The government is working to establish strong regulations to entice investment and development across the gas value chain, including the Gas Master Plan (GMP), currently under review.
  • Minister Mantashe's participation at AEW 2025 builds on these regulatory efforts to unlock new opportunities for international participation across the South African oil and gas market.

Statistics:

  • The Orange Basin is expected to hold significant promise for commercial finds.
  • Shell plans to drill at least five deepwater exploration and appraisal wells in the Orange Basin.
  • TotalEnergies is targeting a two-well wildcat campaign in the South African side of the Orange Basin.
  • Drilling is expected to commence in 2026.
  • Eco Atlantic acquired a 75% working interest in Block 1 in June 2024.
  • TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy acquired participating interests in Block 3B/4B in March 2024.
  • Africa Energy Corp became operator of Block 11B/12B in March 2024.
  • The Virginia Gas Project is producing LNG and liquid helium.
  • The project is expected to support economic growth across the Free State province.

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE-August 11, 2025-: South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Upstream Development Gains Pace (C)1994-2025 M2 COMMUNICATIONS RDATE:11082025