The Canadian energy group Africa Energy targets first gas production from the Block 11B/12B off South Africa's southern coast by 2033. The company is currently in talks with former national oil company PetroSA to use some of its infrastructure to land gas from the Brulpadda and Luiperd fields at Mossel Bay to speed up production, while also waiting for the approval of its modified environmental authorisation after the original partners decided to backdown.
Initially, the project was going to be operated by TotalEnergies and developed by Africa Energy and a joint venture between partners QatarEnergy and Canadian Natural Resources until the three international companies decided to leave the project in July 2024 due to concerns about the financial viability of the project and the challenge to monetize gas discovery to South Africa’s market. Africa Energy's majority-owned local subsidiary Main Street 1549 now holds a 75% share in the block, with Arostyle Investments holding the remaining interest.
According to its 2023 Integrated Resource Plan, South Africa is targeting 6,000 MW of new gas power projects.