South Africa may pass the UPRD in 2021
Legislative delays plague South Africa’s upstream
Sizeable offshore potential and growing gas demand may not be enough to offset the difficulties
Regulatory uncertainty continues to hinder South Africa’s upstream ambitions, with investors waiting for clarity on new legislation before committing. The sector is subject to the general Mineral & Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), amendments to which have been “stalled since 2014...resulting in a high level of uncertainty”, while the act in its existing form is “ambiguous”, according to consultancy Fitch Solutions. Pretoria has drafted replacement legislation for the oil and gas sector in the form of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development (UPRD) Bill. Strategic reserves Draft provisions include allowing the state—through NOC PetroSA—the option to acquire up to 20pc in p
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
