PASA — the South African Agency for Promotion of Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation — plays a critical role in managing, promoting, and regulating oil and gas exploration in South Africa. The agency’s mission is to attract responsible international and local investment into the upstream petroleum sector, ensuring sustainable development and efficient resource management.
Located off Mossel Bay, the FA-EM gas-field complex began production in the third quarter of 2000. Its reserves initially provided sufficient feedstock for the Mossel Bay Refinery up to 2009.
The Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) refinery maintains production of approximately 31,150 barrels per day of petroleum products, supporting domestic fuel supply.
Ongoing exploration in the Bredasdorp Basin off the coast of Mossel Bay seeks to identify new reserves and support continued operations beyond existing resource lifecycles.
The Sable Field, which commenced production in August 2003, was initially projected to yield between 30,000 and 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day — totaling up to 25 million barrels over three years.
This development represented a significant milestone in South Africa’s upstream petroleum journey, with estimated foreign exchange savings linked to PetroSA’s bottom-line performance — dependent on prevailing global crude oil prices.
PetroSA holds a 60% working interest in the Sable Field, while Pioneer Natural Resources (Dallas) retains the remaining 40%.
Daily production supports fuel self-sufficiency by reducing imports and strengthening the local energy economy.
PASA helps ensure petroleum exploration and production activities are conducted responsibly and within environmental and safety regulations.
PASA continues to promote energy security, sustainability, and inclusive participation in the petroleum sector. Its focus remains on expanding exploration frontiers, encouraging responsible investment, and supporting innovation in cleaner energy solutions.
For detailed information and current exploration opportunities, visit the official Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA) website .