SCRAMBLE FOR EAST AFRICAN OIL & GAS DISCOVERIES INTENSIFIES

By Cnbc Africa

Gas and oil discoveries in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya has led to East Africa receiving its share of attention from global oil companies. 

DHL’s Steve Harley says oil discoveries in the region were contributing to the recent attention in the tea and coffee dominated region.

 “Oil discoveries in Uganda and Kenya have also added to the excitement in the sector as new players look to enter these markets, including some of the largest independent and international oil companies, “ Harley, president of DHL Energy Sector noted.

He added that, while Angola and Nigeria have always been the most notable producers within the sub-Saharan region, more recently, deposits in East Africa were diverting the global interest of exploration companies. 

Harley explained that in addition to the developments in East Africa, both Namibia and South Africa are also on the radar of investors within the sector.

“South Africa in particular is receiving much attention, mostly because of the potential of shale gas in the Karoo, but also because it has a long and largely unexplored coastline, off which many believe large hydrocarbon fields may exist,” he reiterated.

“As a result of the region’s potential, there are several offshore drilling exploration expeditions currently being planned in South Africa by the major oil companies.”

Harley expressed worry that even with this renewed interest, the region remained largely unexplored.

“While exploration activity in Africa is at its highest level ever, the continent remains largely unexplored,” said Harley.

PwC’s Africa Oil & Gas review titled from promise to performance released in June 2013, revealed that Africa currently supplies approximately 12 per cent of the world’s oil and boasts untapped reserves estimated at eight per cent of the world’s proven reserves.

“With the ever-increasing need for energy in Asia and in particular China, many of these countries are positioning themselves strategically in Africa as they seek to tap into new resources to support their growing energy needs,” noted Harley.

Harley says, despite the significant developments in the renewable energy sector, the world’s dependency on hydrocarbon-fueled energy resources will continue for many years to come.

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