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Elsewhere in Africa, Algeria has revised its long- Mitsui and Co. and Beach Energy are develop-
term forecast for gas exports. Energy Minister ing the gas field via a joint venture and are still
Abdelmajid Attar had said earlier in the month to reach a final investment decision (FID) on the
that state-controlled Sonatrach expected the vol- project.
ume of gas sold to foreign buyers was likely to McGowan said his government had given
drop into the 25-30 bcm per year range in 2025. in-principle support to allow Waitsia to fill
More recently, though, he has said that exports capacity at the Karratha Gas Plant and export
are not anticipated to sink below 30 bcm per year some of its production as liquefied natural gas
until 2030. (LNG) “for a short period of time”. This was,
On the other end of the continent, France’s he said, because of the exceptional economic
Total is gearing up to spud a new well offshore circumstances created by the coronavirus
South Africa. It is preparing to send the Deepsea (COVID-19) pandemic.
Stavanger rig to Block 11B/12B and will begin “The Waitsia Gas Project Stage 2 in the Mid
drilling the Luiperd-1 well before the end of West is an exception to the policy. Once sanc-
August. tioned, it will provide urgently needed jobs, roy-
alties and economic stimulus for the region and
If you’d like to read more about the key events shaping the state,” he said.
Asia’s oil and gas sector then please click here for Waitsia, considered to be one of the country’s
NewsBase’s AfrOil Monitor. largest onshore discoveries in the last four dec-
ades, is estimated to produce 1.5mn tonnes per
Asia: WA ring-fences onshore gas projects year (tpy) of LNG over seven years.
The Western Australia government has Traditional offshore LNG projects, which
announced plans to prevent the sale of future are already required to ring-fence 15% of their
onshore natural gas projects, barring a single feedstock production the local market, will not
project, to East Coast or overseas buyers. be affected by the changes.
The move effectively scuttles the controversial McGowan added: “For the domestic gas pol-
transnational pipeline running from Western icy to work, the market also needs to know how
Australia that the National COVID-19 Commis- much gas is available to it, and when the gas is
sion Advisory Board (NNC) has recommended available. We’ve listened to WA industry’s calls
to the federal government as worthy of support. for this transparency and the amended policy
WA Premier Mark McGowan said on August will ensure it happens.”
17 that he wanted to avoid a repeat of the market
volatility currently being experienced on the East If you’d like to read more about the key events shaping
Coast. “Western Australia’s domestic gas policy Asia’s oil and gas sector then please click here for
is the envy of the nation, and the updated policy NewsBase’s AsianOil Monitor.
will ensure our state can continue to access relia-
ble and affordable gas,” he said. DMEA: Refinery developments
The Waitsia project was the only onshore This week’s DMEA covers several developments
development to receive an exemption. Japan’s in the refining sector.

Week 33 19•August•2020 www. NEWSBASE .com P7