Brulpadda: 'Support guaranteed'

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay is ideally situated to offer offshore facilities and services to global energy giant Total following the significant gas condensate discovery on the Brulpadda prospects, located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175 kilometres off the coast.

However, Total E&P South Africa logistics manager Patrick Fiévet, although optimistic, cautioned that a lot of exploration work still has to be done to ensure the viability of the source.

He said the condensate found in recent explorations is currently being examined in France.

"We have an impression of what to expect from the well, but further exploration will have to be done in the months to come to determine the extent and viability of the well."

It is expected at least three more exploration wells will have to be drilled and seismic tests have been conducted to determine the site for these.

"Total's first attempt to drill the Brulpadda Prospect in 2014 was suspended prior to reaching target due to difficulties experienced in the harsh deepwater environment. After extensive review of the challenging surface conditions, Total contracted the Odfjell Deepsea Stavanger semi-submersible rig to drill the Brulpadda-1AX re-entry well in December 2018. That well has since been capped with concrete pending further exploration work," Fiévet told a high level delegation who met with him at the Mossel Bay Municipality on Wednesday, 6 March.

From right to left: Total E&P South Africa logistics manager Patrick Fiévet (right) in discussion with the executive mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Harry Levendal, the municipal manager, Adv Thys Giliomee and the municipal director of planning and integrated services, Carl Venter.

Welcomed
Adding to an array of national and international business that have made Mossel Bay their base, Total will be welcomed and can expect excellent service delivery from the best municipality in the Western Cape.

This was one of the messages conveyed to Fiévet. Municipal Manager Adv Thys Giliomee explained that Mossel Bay Municipality staff are passionate about service delivery. Apart from being able to offer sustainable water security, the town excels at services that would make it the ideal offshore base for Total's operations.

"We may not be the largest municipality, but we are the best. Size may also hamper service delivery, yet the Mossel Bay Municipality's employees are driven and well known for going the extra mile," Adv Giliomee said.

He added that there are decided advantages to not being such a large town, as immediate service delivery can be guaranteed.

"Mossel Bay can offer 18% spare capacity of electricity, and unlike other municipalities, does not owe Eskom any outstanding debt.

"Furthermore, municipal services such as the provision of water can be guaranteed, considering the town boasts the largest desalination plant in Africa."

Advocate Giliomee highlighted the excellent healthcare facilities in town, saying the Life Bay View Hospital has consistently ranked among the top three private hospitals in the country for a number of consecutive years. He also mentioned the stable political landscape and said it augurs well for future investment.

Speaking on behalf of businesses in Mossel Bay, Shirley Schmidt, a well known business woman who has been closely involved with Total during the Brulpadda exploration phase, said opportunities would extend to the rest of the Southern Cape.

She cautioned that Mossel Bay businesses should embrace the opportunities without creating false expectations of job creation in the short term.

"All services in town should be geared towards service delivery; businesses should embrace a state of readiness considering the very high service delivery standards that will be expected."

She added that Mossel Bay is the only oil/gas town in South Africa and therefore uniquely positioned to capitalise on the opportunities.

Mossel Bay port manager Shadrack Tshikalange said there never before had been such a good challenge for the port to grow as an anchor of economic development and growth for the town.

"We would like to thank Total for using the Port of Mossel Bay during the exploration phase," he said. "We are open for business."

Representatives of the Garden Route District Municipality, the George Airport, the Port of Mossel Bay, SCEP and Mossel Bay Tourism met with Total E&P South Africa logistics manager Patrick Fiévet to discuss business development opportunities.

Work together
He called for a high level meeting with the executive management of TNPA to explore opportunities, requirements and needs.

"In Mossel Bay we work together; you will never go wrong when doing business with this city," Tshikalange said.

Several opportunities exist for the Mossel Bay airfield to be used more extensively, Henk van Wyk of the Aeroclub said. He elaborated on planned extensions to the airfield and said several surveys are being conducted to make it a reality. "The length of the runway can be extended."

A similar message was conveyed by George Airport manager Brenda Vorster. She explained several expansion programmes and said plans were to extend the footprint of the airport to other local airports and even international destinations.

"It is important to change the mindset to deliver cargo via airports and harbours to clear the country's clogged roads," she said.

Mayor Levendal stressed that Total will be met with the utmost support and invited further discussions to ensure that Mossel Bay is used as a support base for ongoing operations.

Mossel Bay executive mayor Alderman Harry Levendal welcomed Total E&P South Africa logistics manager Patrick Fiévet to a stakeholder engagement with local service providers.