Zimbabwe seeks South Sudan partnership on oil and gas

ENERGY and Power Development Deputy Minister, Magna Mudyiwa, has said that South Sudan’s expertise could play a critical role in supporting the growth of the country’s nascent oil and gas market.

The deputy minister said this last week at the South Sudan Oil & Power Conference in Juba where she noted that Zimbabwe was looking to South Sudan for support ahead of sizable oil and gas finds expected in the Muzarabani area where Australian investor, Invictus Energy, is conducting exploration works.

Invictus has commenced Phase 2 exploration with 2D seismic survey at the Cabora Bassa Basin in Muzarabani, Mashonaland Central province.

Seismic survey in oil and gas exploration refers to the process of using high-tech equipment to listen to underground sound vibrations to determine the existence of hydrocarbons.

In 2021, Invictus carried out the first seismic data collection for the Muzarabani oil and gas project to identify the best spots to drill exploration wells.

Oil

This year’s seismic campaign will incorporate the firm’s experience from the successful Cabora Bassa 2021 seismic survey acquisition, which was also carried out by Polaris Natural Resource Development Ltd and helped inform drilling of the play opening Mukuyu-1/ST1 wells.

The ongoing exploration campaign has revealed encouraging results.
According to Deputy Minister Mudyiwa, the country is “inching closer to making a discovery, which will open a new chapter for Zimbabwe, as we will join other producing countries in the region”, she was quoted as saying in a post-conference report issued by Energy Capital and Power, which organised the conference.

The report noted that the Australian-listed oil and gas company is currently conducting exploratory work in Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin, with resources having already been confirmed.

As a country that relies heavily on refined petroleum product imports, the discovery, and development of domestic hydrocarbon resources will significantly aid in achieving energy security while reducing import costs and stabilising supply.

“The prospect is exciting and will positively impact our economy. Should sufficient quantities be expected, this will result in the production of liquid fuels from local resources,” said Mudyiwa.

Ahead of anticipated exploratory success, the deputy minister said “Zimbabwe has a lot to learn from South Sudan, who has done a lot of exploration before us.”

Deputy Minister Magna Mudyiwa

The two countries already enjoy strong bilateral ties in the education sector, with various programmes underway including internships, exchange programmes, and funding. However, Mudyiwa believes that “co-operation can be strengthened to include training and capacity building in oil and gas, given our country’s limitations in oil and gas production, an area where South Sudan is experienced. Zimbabwe has identified this area as an important avenue for co-operation”.

The Deputy Minister described South Sudan as an amazing case study and hoped the country can offer advice on regulations, structures and law, handling of environmental issues that arise due to oil and gas production, and appropriate technology for optimised oil recovery.

The summit presented a key avenue to foster dialogue and strengthen relations between the two countries, with Mudyiwa stating that: “As a country, we would like to capitalise on the opportunities offered through participation at this forum.”

-chronicle