South Africa gas discovery could revive energy sector

Significance Total in February announced the “significant” new Brulpadda discovery in the Outeniqua Basin, which is estimated to include potentially 1 billion barrels of global resources, gas and condensate light oil. The company will return to the seas off South Africa in December for further drilling to assess Brulpadda’s potential. Impacts An upturn in oil and gas exploration activity offshore will benefit ports and service industries, raising the chances of more discoveries. Brulpadda could have positive impacts on the domestic power sector, but this will be unclear until appraisal has been completed. The discovery could provide new feedstock for the Mossel Bay gas-to-liquids plant which is running at less than half capacity.

Subject African oil and gas exploration. Significance Stakeholders in the African oil industry met in Cape Town in early November, for the annual Africa Oil Week conference, amid speculation of new prospects in South Africa and Namibia. While several countries in West and Central Africa are offering acreage in licensing rounds, oil and gas companies are focused on upcoming wells in Southern Africa, which will dictate decisions on companies’ future exploration focus. Impacts Exploration success for Southern Africa’s most watched wells could bring an investment boost to new areas, such as South Africa. Angola and Nigeria will try pushing reforms and new licensing to revive a largely moribund exploration sector to renew reserves and growth. IOCs will need more reassurance before committing to new Nigerian investment after Buhari's failure in 2018 to sign a key industry bill.


Subject Senegal's oil and gas prospects. Significance Senegal is preparing to join the ranks of Africa's oil and gas producers, as exploration led by Cairn Energy and Kosmos Energy delivers positive results. Poor supply and high energy costs have historically been a barrier to Senegal's economic development. The oil and gas finds could radically transform the economy, although Kosmos' gas discovery is a long way offshore and will require cooperation with neighbouring Mauritania. While BP's involvement is a significant boost to the project, the past participation of the president's brother has raised transparency concerns. Impacts The emergence of Dakar as a regional port would prompt wider inward investment. The power sector will benefit from lower fuel costs, but not through an instant windfall. Senegal's neighbours stand to gain from increased oil and gas exploration investment and better energy supply.


Subject The Lebanon-Israel maritime border dispute. Significance President Michel Aoun in September told David Schenker, the incoming US assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, of the importance of US mediation between Lebanon and Israel to settle their maritime border dispute. Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri had said during a visit to Washington in August he hoped the issue would be resolved this month. Lebanon has been trying to promote offshore gas exploration and recognises that the lack of settled boundaries with Israel is a major disincentive for investors as it tries to encourage bids for offshore exploration blocks. Impacts Protracted Israeli coalition talks will preclude any engagement on their side for some weeks. Recent clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah will add an extra complication. Both sides will press their claims with provocative actions in the disputed area such as deploying naval vessels or approving exploration. The dispute's lack of resolution will not hinder most oil and gas exploration activity in either Lebanese or Israeli waters.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 917-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.S. Reddy ◽  
En Xie ◽  
Yuanyuan Huang

Purpose Drawing attention to the significant number of unsuccessful (abandoned) cross-border merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to analyze three litigated cross-border inbound acquisitions that associated with an emerging economy – India, such as Vodafone-Hutchison and Bharti Airtel-MTN deals in the telecommunications industry, and Vedanta-Cairn India deal in the oil and gas exploration industry. The study intends to explore how do institutional and political environments in the host country affect the completion likelihood of cross-border acquisition negotiations. Design/methodology/approach Nested within the interdisciplinary framework, the study adopts a legitimate method in qualitative research, that is, case study method, and performs a unit of analysis and cross-case analysis of sample cases. Findings The critical analysis suggests that government officials’ erratic nature and ruling political party intervention have detrimental effects on the success of Indian-hosted cross-border deals with higher bid value, listed target firm, cash payment, and stronger government control in the target industry. The findings emerge from the cross-case analysis of sample cases contribute to the Lucas paradox – why does not capital flow from rich to poor countries and interdisciplinary M&A literature on the completion likelihood of international takeovers. Practical implications The findings have several implications for multinational managers who typically involve in cross-border negotiations. The causes and consequences of sample cases would help develop economy firms who intend to invest in emerging economies. The study also offers some implications of M&A for telecommunications and extractive industries. Originality/value Although a huge amount of extant research investigates why M&A fail to create value to the shareholders during the public announcement and post-merger stages, there is a significant dearth of research on the causes and consequences of delayed or abandoned national and international deals. The paper fills this knowledge gap by discussing an in-depth cross-case analysis of Indian-hosted cross-border acquisitions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-139
Author(s):  
Susan Shortland

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how female expatriates mobilise couples’ dual-career coordination strategic choices to achieve their own and their partners’ desired career goals. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research is based upon in-depth interviews with 20 dual-career female expatriates working in two case study oil and gas organisations. Findings Female expatriates use a series of tactics ranging from cooperation in maintaining a dual-career hierarchy, through to coordinating aspects of their own and their partners’ assignments, undertaking compatible industry roles and co-working (working together in the same organisation) to attempt to achieve a greater egalitarian international dual-career strategic outcome. Research limitations/implications This case analysis was based on a relatively small sample of female expatriates in heterosexual relationships working in oil and gas exploration. Further research in different sectors, with larger samples, and with male expatriates is also needed. Practical implications Employers should minimise periods of separation by focussing on coordinated assignment timings for both partners, facilitate suitable employment for both partners who wish to work abroad, and prioritise securing partner work visas. Social implications The inability to pursue desired dual-careers together while undertaking international assignments can be detrimental to couples’ relationships, potentially leading to unwillingness to expatriate and thereby deliver necessary skills in the host country. Originality/value The originality lies in identifying the tactics women use to enact dual-career coordination strategies, including coordinating assignment timings and locations to reduce separation and pursuing compatible roles to achieve egalitarian career and relationship outcomes. While women expected co-working in the same firm to facilitate dual-career mobility, its career outcomes were disappointing.


Subject Kenya power outlook. Significance The government's geothermal generation programme is driving a structural change in the power sector. Plans are for electricity generation to roughly double to 3,000 megawatts (MW) over the next few years, with hydroelectricity losing its dominant role. Kenya's medium-term economic growth prospects turn on the success of the government's rising spending on infrastructure investment in the energy and transport sectors. Impacts Focus on industry sources (diesal, gas, coal) obscures the dominant role of bio-energy (firewood, charcoal) in the energy mix. Increasing the role for natural gas in domestic power sectors will be pushed by regional governments with new offshore finds. Policymakers will continue to advocate the efficacy of mini grid or off-grid systems to augment the limited reach of 'national' grids.


Subject The outlook for offshore oil. Significance A recent offshore oil and gas find has given Guyana hope of becoming a significant oil producer. However, while this and an earlier find are encouraging and further exploration is planned, the current uncertain economic environment and fluctuating oil prices suggest that bringing these finds into production is not guaranteed. Impacts Oil exploration activity may prompt a flare-up of the continuing border dispute with Venezuela. A major offshore oil find would have a very significant impact on Guyana's GDP of some 4 billion dollars. However, over-optimism could lead to borrowing against an expected future windfall, or the temptation to prioritise 'vanity' projects.


Significance The bids came from Greece’s Energean, an existing investor, and a consortium of Indian firms; there was little wider international interest. Neighbouring Lebanon’s first offshore oil and gas exploration round, which closed on October 12, was similarly disappointing, with just two bids received from one consortium consisting of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek. Impacts Political uncertainties following the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri could slow hydrocarbons exploration. The Lebanese government will be under domestic political pressure from NGOs to ensure transparency in its award of exploration licences. Israel will launch further bid rounds for the remaining blocks, but these are unlikely to produce a different result.


Subject Oil drilling in Alaska and the energy sector under the new US tax laws. Significance Speaking to reporters on January 16, Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican, Alaska), said that she wants to seek a new bill that would promote further environmental protections in what is known as the 1002 Area. The 1002 Area is in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and was opened for oil and gas exploration and drilling when President Donald Trump signed into law the Republicans’ tax reform bill on December 22 last year. Impacts Shareholders in refiners could see strong returns as the tax cut windfall is funnelled into higher dividends and share buybacks. If the tax cuts spur stronger short-term economic growth, US oil demand should accelerate, a bullish indicator for oil prices. If the tax cuts increase the US budget deficit, subsidies for the energy sector could be revisited.


Subject Indian-Israeli cooperation in defence trade and manufacturing. Significance Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in July raised relations between the two countries to what was described in a joint statement as a "strategic partnership". Defence cooperation featured in talks between Modi and his Israeli counterpart Binyamin Netanyahu. Impacts India will struggle to meet its target of reducing imported defence products by 40% within the next ten years. India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation is likely to bid for Israeli offshore oil-and-gas exploration blocks. Closer relations between India and Iran may raise concerns in Israel.


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