Successful Luiperd hunt boosts South African gas hopes
Second major discovery improves prospects for bringing gas to market but is no panacea
Successful flow testing of South Africa’s Luiperd gas discovery towards the end of last year was more good news for the prospects of developing the discoveries so far in the country’s offshore block 11B/12B. But the challenges of finding customers and political risk remain. During November testing, the Luiperd 1-X well reached a maximum constrained flowrate of 33mn ft³/d (0.9mn m³/d) of gas and 4,320bl/d of condensate, an aggregate of c.9,820bl/d oe. But the absolute open flow potential of the well is expected to be significantly higher, according to Canadian-listed Africa Energy, a junior 4.5pc partner in the block. Consultancy IHS Markit sees Luiperd reserves in excess of 1bn bl oe, potent
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
