South Africa Energy Brulpadda and Luiperd Gas Discoveries

The Brulpadda (2019) and Luiperd (2020) discoveries in Block 11B/12B are South Africa’s largest proven offshore gas fields, with an estimated 3.4 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas. Previous operators resigned their interests in 2024, citing challenges in monetizing gas for the South African market. In 2025, a new operator assumed ownership and began revising the environmental authorization. First production is now targeted around 2033, with commercialization pathways actively being reassessed—creating opportunities for U.S. expertise.

Opportunities for U.S. Companies:

•    Permitting & development planning: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) updates, fisheries coexistence, and community engagement.
•    Commercialization: Gas-to-power, Mossel Bay refinery tie-ins, small-scale LNG, gas-to-chemicals.
•    Infrastructure: Pipeline routing, shore approaches, subsea engineering, processing solutions.
•    Carbon & sustainability: CO₂ capture, methane tracking, and low flaring technologies.
•    Grid integration: Flexible gas power plants, hybrid systems, and grid ancillary services.

Call to Action: Interested in opportunities in South Africa’s shale gas sector? 

Contact Mpilo.Mahlangu@trade.gov for more details.