Dr Duncan Clarke, Chairman & CEO, Global Pacific & Partner |
Massive offshore gas discoveries in
East Africa are catapulting the region into a major player in the global energy
arena, bringing billions in investment that could transform entire economies. Off
the pristine beaches of Africa's Indian Ocean coast, multinationals have struck
gas - well upon well upon well. Planned investments worth tens of billions
exceed the gross domestic products of some host countries, which range from
regional power Kenya to impoverished Mozambique. East Africa's coastal region,
stretching out to Seychelles holds 12.5 trillion cubic metres of natural gas,
according to the US Geological Survey. That's about 50% more than in Saudi
Arabia. "The gas discoveries offshore in Mozambique and Tanzania are large
and world-class, with potential for more to come, including prospects for an
oil leg," said Duncan Clarke, CEO of oil consulting company Global
Pacific.
Investments
"These finds will lead to LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants... and will make the zone akin to the Northwest Shelf in Australia," which can produce 23 billion cubic metres a year, he said. Houston-based Anadarko in June announced new finds in northern Mozambique which brought its estimated recoverable resources to up to 1.7 trillion cubic metres. The company has proposed $15bn in investments to set up LNG facilities. Mozambique's GDP last year was $12bn. Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production in May announced a $1.9bn deal to buy Cove Energy, whose 8.5% stake in the Mozambican fields is currently up for sale. Two weeks earlier Italy's ENI, the other large operator in the country's Rovuma basin, said recent discoveries boosted its recoverable resources up to 1.4 trillion cubic metres. "It will bring a huge flow of foreign direct investment in the region that would contribute to rapid economic growth in the region," said Silas Olang, east African co-ordinator from resources watchdog Revenue Watch Institute. Mozambique expects that within five years, the new industry will account for 13% of the economy, already one of the fastest-growing in the world at 7% in 2011.
"These finds will lead to LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants... and will make the zone akin to the Northwest Shelf in Australia," which can produce 23 billion cubic metres a year, he said. Houston-based Anadarko in June announced new finds in northern Mozambique which brought its estimated recoverable resources to up to 1.7 trillion cubic metres. The company has proposed $15bn in investments to set up LNG facilities. Mozambique's GDP last year was $12bn. Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production in May announced a $1.9bn deal to buy Cove Energy, whose 8.5% stake in the Mozambican fields is currently up for sale. Two weeks earlier Italy's ENI, the other large operator in the country's Rovuma basin, said recent discoveries boosted its recoverable resources up to 1.4 trillion cubic metres. "It will bring a huge flow of foreign direct investment in the region that would contribute to rapid economic growth in the region," said Silas Olang, east African co-ordinator from resources watchdog Revenue Watch Institute. Mozambique expects that within five years, the new industry will account for 13% of the economy, already one of the fastest-growing in the world at 7% in 2011.
Skilled workforce
A number of hurdles stand between
producers and their potential gas wealth. "There's very limited
infrastructure in place," said Tim Dodson, vice president for exploration
at Norway's Statoil on the company website. Statoil and Britain's BG together
have discovered around .45 trillion cubic metres in Tanzania. Mozambique's
Pemba is a good example. The closest city for offshore drillers, it's 3 000km
north of the capital Maputo, with dirt roads and little housing. Elsewhere new ports
and airports are needed. Completely caught off-guard by its mineral wealth, the
country also lacks the skilled workforce to set up industries, with only 50
mining graduates a year. Both Mozambique and Tanzania have had to scurry to
update petroleum legislation with the new industries.
Governments have also come under fire for signing opaque contracts for capital-intensive mega-projects that don't create many local jobs. Producers from their side are nervous over taxes as governments claim increasing cuts of the spoils. Mozambique announced it would tax the Cove sale at 12.8%.
Governments have also come under fire for signing opaque contracts for capital-intensive mega-projects that don't create many local jobs. Producers from their side are nervous over taxes as governments claim increasing cuts of the spoils. Mozambique announced it would tax the Cove sale at 12.8%.
New producers may also jostle for
energy buyers "on the western edge of the Asian LNG import market and in
competition with older supply centres in Southeast Asia and Australasia",
said Clarke.
Questions remain how locals will benefit from the multi-billion-dollar industries. While Mozambique is booming, last year its economy created only $400 per person.
Questions remain how locals will benefit from the multi-billion-dollar industries. While Mozambique is booming, last year its economy created only $400 per person.
Corruption is a "big
challenge", said Olang. With production only planned for five years from
now, the effect may also take longer than people think, he said. "There
could be the expectation that natural gas will be exploited tomorrow and we'll
benefit immediately."
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