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Mantashe to Highlight South Africa’s Ambitious Plans for Oil and Gas Development at African Energy Week (AEW) 2024

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African Energy Week

South Africa offers a plethora of investment opportunities for companies across the oil, gas and power infrastructure sectors

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 11, 2024/APO Group/ — 

South Africa released its draft Gas Master Plan (GMP) – a policy instrument that aims to establish a secure supply of gas by diversifying options from local and international markets – in April 2024, outlining projected demand, infrastructure requirements and targeted capacity. The GMP supports policies such as the Gas Integrated Power Producer Procurement Program, which targets 2 GW of new generation capacity to be derived from land-based gas-fired power facilities. As a frontier hydrocarbon market, South Africa offers a wealth of prospects for companies in exploration, production and infrastructure development.

To attract investment in South African oil and gas, South Africa’s Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Gwede Mantashe has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – taking place November 4-8 in Cape Town. Minister Mantashe’s return to the conference aligns with national efforts to drive oil and gas development across the country as the government strives to advance energy security and country-wide industrialization.  

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

It is great to see companies entering the South African side of the Orange Basin but much more needs to be done to maximize the country’s oil and gas reserves

Given the pressing need to bring new energy sources online in South Africa, the government is promoting investment in frontier exploration. Offshore, proven potential in neighboring Namibia has further enhanced the attractiveness of the South African Orange Basin. A string of billion-barrel finds were made in Namibia between 2022 and 2024 and a combination of independent and major energy companies have recently farmed-in to South African blocks in the hopes of unlocking similar discoveries.

Energy majors TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy acquired participating interestes in Block 3B/4B this year. The transaction provides the companies with a 33% stake and a 24% stake, respectively. Additionally, oil and gas exploration company Eco Atlantic – through its wholly owned subsidiary Azinam South Africa – signed a farm-in deal for a 75% working interest in South Africa’s Block 1, also situated in the Orange Basin. The company assumed operatorship of the block, which is estimated to be one of the largest in the basin. These transactions are just the start, with South Africa’s offshore basins offering a rich combination of undeveloped and unexplored acreage.

Onshore, South Africa is making great strides towards leveraging gas resources for both power generation and fuel-related purposes. The country’s shale formations in the Karoo Basin are estimated to hold as much as 209 trillion cubic feet of gas resources, making it a highly attractive onshore play. Several projects are underway. Independent E&P company Panoro Energy applied for an exploration right for helium and natural gas in the basin in June 2024. This project scope comprises a three-year work program and will enhance the geological understanding of the basin. Additionally, gas explore Kinetiko Energy is progressing with a five-well gas flow testing program in the Mpumalanga province, expected to start in Q3, 2024. The campaign aims to identify high-flow rate gas zones in exploration rights 271 and 270.

Beyond exploration, South Africa is seeking partners to invest in energy-related infrastructure, including hydrogen, power generation and transmission, refining and distribution. Gas-to-power has been identified as a priority industry for the country, given rising power demand and emerging resource potential. The country’s Integrated Resource Plan 2023 – a comprehensive plan to bring new generation capacity online – shows that South Africa requires between 7.2 GW and 8.6 GW of new gas-to-power capacity to support industrialization and electrification efforts. This highlights a strategic opportunity for both upstream players and downstream investors.

“To address its energy crisis, South Africa needs natural gas. Exploration campaigns in both onshore and offshore basins have made clear the significant reserve potential in the market. Yet, lack of investment continues to hinder development in the sector, further restricting the country’s efforts to enhance energy security. It is great to see companies entering the South African side of the Orange Basin but much more needs to be done to maximize the country’s oil and gas reserves,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Minister Mantashe’s return to the AEW: Invest in African Energy conference underscores a commitment by the ministry to maximize the development of the country’s oil and gas resources. During the conference, Minister Mantashe will connect with investors, technology providers and regional counterparts while driving discussions on investment opportunities, regulatory support and national energy priorities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Venezuela Energy Week Confirms 19 August Date for Houston Industry Showcase

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Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August, convening U.S. energy leaders ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The organizers of Venezuela Energy Week (VEW) have confirmed that the Houston Industry Showcase will take place on 19 August 2026 at The Post Oak Hotel. Officially supported by Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and national oil company PDVSA, the event will bring together U.S. energy companies, investors and policymakers to explore commercial opportunities ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas in February.

The showcase will feature Minister of Hydrocarbons Paula Henao as a keynote speaker, providing an update on Venezuela’s energy priorities, investment agenda and opportunities for international partnership. Her participation underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening engagement with global industry as it seeks to expand production and unlock new upstream investment.

Bringing together exploration and production companies, independent operators, oilfield service providers, engineering firms, technology companies and financial institutions, the Houston Industry Showcase will examine opportunities across exploration, production optimization, infrastructure rehabilitation and field development.

As Venezuela works to increase oil and gas production, demand is expected to grow for the technical expertise of U.S. service providers in drilling, well intervention, completion services, production optimization, artificial lift, digital oilfield technologies and infrastructure rehabilitation. Houston-based industry leaders – including SLB, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford and a broad network of EPC contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized service companies – are well positioned to support the modernization of mature fields, improve operational efficiency and deliver the technologies and services needed for future upstream projects.

The Houston event follows a successful Industry Showcase in London, which brought together international investors, operators and energy service companies to explore Venezuela’s evolving investment landscape. Building on that momentum, the Houston edition will deepen engagement with the U.S. energy industry and strengthen commercial dialogue ahead of Venezuela Energy Week 2027.

Venezuela Energy Week – the country’s largest energy investment platform to date – has been confirmed for 22–25 February 2027 in Caracas. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, the event will bring together government leaders, investors and industry stakeholders from across the global energy value chain.

To register for the Houston Industry Showcase on August 19, visit https://apo-opa.co/4g0TncR. To learn more about delegate, sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the showcase or to secure your place at Venezuela Energy Week 2027 in Caracas, contact info@venezuelaenergyweek.com.

Supporting Venezuela’s Earthquake Recovery
Our thoughts are with the people and communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. As the country begins the long process of recovery, we encourage members of the global energy community to support relief and reconstruction efforts through the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela, which channels contributions from individuals, companies and organizations to emergency assistance, essential services and long-term rebuilding efforts.

To learn more or make a contribution, please visit the CAF Recovery and Reconstruction Fund for Venezuela (https://apo-opa.co/4hkvteE).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Secures New Patent for Smart Stabilization System from Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

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IsDBI

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, August 10, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) is pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has granted a new patent for its innovative Smart Stabilization System.

 

The patent was granted on 10 July 2026 under Singapore Patent No. 10202250873B for the invention titled “A Computer Network Stabilization System and Method.” The patent application was filed on 1 September 2022 and was formally granted following a comprehensive review process.

This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development

The Smart Stabilization System is a pioneering digital market infrastructure designed to stabilize asset markets by intelligently managing supply-demand gaps and mitigating excessive volatility. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and advanced simulation models, the system is designed to anticipate supply and demand imbalances and implement programmable stabilization measures before they escalate into market disruptions.

Unlike traditional stabilization mechanisms that rely on capital reserves, buffer funds, or external interventions, the Smart Stabilization System introduces a next-generation framework for achieving autonomous market stabilization through proactive and programmed stabilization mechanisms. By incorporating distributed ledger technology and cryptographic trust mechanisms, the platform enhances transparency, trust, and operational resilience for digital asset and commodity markets.

The successful patent grant reflects IsDBI’s growing contribution to technological innovation and its commitment to developing knowledge-based solutions that address contemporary economic and development challenges.

Since filing the patent application back in 2022, the Institute has continued to advance the Smart Stabilization System through ongoing development and testing, aimed to expand its practical applications and support future capitalization opportunities. These advancements have positioned the system as a potentially transformative solution for enhancing stability and resilience in increasingly digital and interconnected economies.

Commenting on this occasion, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, said, “The grant of this patent by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore further strengthens the Institute’s position as a leader in developing innovative knowledge-based solutions that leverage modern technologies to address complex development challenges. This achievement reflects our commitment to translating pioneering research into practical solutions that contribute to economic resilience and sustainable development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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