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The resumption of LNG exports from the Egyptian LNG (ELNG) liquefaction terminal at Idku relieves some of the pressure on Egypt’s gas market, which has swung into a state of oversupply thanks to the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but local industrial consumers are still pushing hard for price reductions.

Buffeted by political crosswinds throughout 2016 – the fallout of charges against finance minister Pravin Gordhan was becoming clear as African Energy went to press – the selection of preferred bidders in the coal independent power producer (IPP) procurement programme and the publication of the framework for the gas IPP programme show that there is still momentum behind private investment in South Africa’s power sector. How well the programmes will withstand the latest political crisis, already manifesting itself in a fall of more than 4% in the rand against the dollar and ten-year government bond yields soaring to 8.94%, with a sovereign downgrade to junk likely to follow, remains to be seen.

The target of finalising a host government agreement for the $30bn Lindi liquified natural gas (LNG) project by December was missed, due to the complexity of the negotiations.

London-listed Sound Energy expects to reach a final investment decision (FID) for the second phase of its Tendrara concession by year-end, as it continues its search for a farm-in partner to join further exploration and appraisal work. Production from phase I is also expected to start in early 2024, writes Marc Howard.

Sonelgaz’s decade-old programme to install a new generation of gas-fired power plants with turbines supplied by GE is limping towards the finish line, but the authorities continue to postpone the dates for final commissioning.

London AIM-listed and Tanzania-focused explorer Helium One has reported that the Exalo rig due to be mobilised to its Rukwa licence in early 2023 is no longer available, after the current operator extended its contract.

Aksa Energy has renewed its power purchase agreement for the 370MW plant with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for a further 15 years.  Conversion from dual fuel to natural gas has begun and will continue at a brisk pace says chief executive Cemil Kazancı.

Grid synchronisation and an air-cooled condenser (ACC) pneumatic test have been carried out at the Azito phase four power plant expansion project.

The host government agreement (HGA) for the $30bn Lindi liquefied natural gas (LNG) project – also known as Tanzania LNG – remains under discussion, according to Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) officials.

The latest figures from African Energy Live Data suggest that Q1 2020 saw the lowest generation capacity additions in Africa for at least 20 years, with no new on-grid generation from February after coronavirus halted construction and commissioning

The first cargo from Eni’s Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant is expected to be shipped in early November and will be sent to European markets.

US supermajor Chevron has confirmed its purchase of an 80% working interest in a highly prospective block offshore Namibia, in a move that affirms the Orange Basin’s status as one of the world’s most exciting gas frontiers – underlined by TotalEnergies’ latest view that its nearby Venus well points to a possibly giant discovery.

Algeria's 4.5bcm/yr Touat gas processing plant is expected to resume production “shortly”, in Q3 2022, having been shut-in due to mechanical problems since last November. The unit “remained shut-in throughout the second quarter as repairs and clean-up operations continued”, operator Neptune Energy said in its 11 August Q2 22 results presentation.

South Africa’s new National Infrastructure Plan raises many welcome issues around planning, accountability and regulatory capacity – and talks a big game on new nuclear and renewable power. Whether implementation will match ambition remains to be seen, writes Dan Marks.

The global hydrocarbons industry is entering a critical period, as oil majors press on with attempts to reinvent their businesses to meet ambitious emissions reduction targets and accommodate shifting investor expectations. That is likely to lead to further retrenchment from key African markets as the biggest international players reassess their priorities, which will favour gas over crude projects. But not everyone is heading for the exit, writes James Gavin.