Sasol will continue to invest in its gas operations in Mozambique, according to the company’s vice-president for gas sourcing and business development, Alfred Seema. “Sasol is continuing its investment in the current reserves in order to extend the gas production plateau and extend gas supply to Mozambique and South Africa,” he says. “We are also developing further sources of gas, including exploration and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply. Engagements with gas suppliers are progressing to procure gas molecules from Matola .” According to Seema, Sasol believes it is important to have multiple terminals for South Africa to import LNG as this increases competitive tension and is in the best interests of the market, the company and the country.“Partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders are, however, crucial to success,” he adds.Seema says the company is continuing to work very closely with the Mozambican government as it is pursuing several exploration opportunities to enable it to supply low-cost gas to South Africa. This includes an onshore field known as PT5-C. “The initial exploration of this field is planned for the first quarter of 2023, when we will start drilling. We are also looking at another offshore field in Angoche, where we also hope to do an initial exploration early next year.”Seema says gas will play a dominant role in the southern African energy mix, especially in light of calls for more decarbonisation.Speaking at the recent Africa Oil Week conference in Cape Town was Oliver Onyekweli, an associate partner at management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. He pointed out that Africa was one of the few regions in the world likely to see growing energy demand over the coming decades. However, he added, businesses hoping to be part of this upcoming energy boom would have to look to decarbonise their production.“Decarbonising is becoming like a licence to operate,” he said, indicating that an effective way to do this was through expanding into natural gas. He said renewable energy offered an opportunity to open up new revenue streams and secure energy access for the continent’s people.Seema agrees, saying: “Gas has also generated significant socio-economic benefits for Mozambique and the region. It is undoubtedly integral to our energy security.”According to Seema, gas has helped Mozambique sustain an average of 35 900 jobs per year, has had a $0.6 billion impact on low-income households and a $11.5 billion total impact on GDP, contributing 6.4% to GDP.
