Botala Power Ltd. has revised up one of the best useful resource estimate for its Serowe Coal Mattress Methane (CBM) Undertaking in Botswana by 42 % to 454 billion cubic toes (Bcf).
The earlier 2C determine was 317 Bcf. It was adjusted after the most recent unbiased recertification by Calgary, Canada-based Sproule. The brand new low-estimate determine is 363 Bcf, whereas one of the best estimate has been pegged at 544 Bcf, Australia-listed Botala mentioned in a regulatory disclosure.
“This enhance is a results of intensive exploration and improved mapping methods which have enhanced the understanding of the CBM potential in Botswana when it comes to CBM presence and potential fuel circulate charges”, the CBM exploration and manufacturing firm mentioned.
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Six extra wells have been drilled since August 2022. “These embody a 5-spot sample close to the Serowe 3-1 properly and step-out wells Serowe-6 and seven”, Botala mentioned within the submitting with the Australian Securities Change. “The drilling confirmed the presence of serious coal intervals with free fuel in all wells”.
For potential sources, one of the best estimate determine has been set at 7,112 Bcf. The low estimate is 5,334 Bcf whereas the excessive estimate is 8,890 Bcf.
To transform these potential figures into contingent sources, Botala must conduct additional testing. It additionally wants extra financing and the receipt of presidency and regulatory approvals, in addition to conducive circumstances to market future fuel, the corporate mentioned.
Botala highlighted that the useful resource improve comes at an opportune time amid a looming power scarcity in Southern Africa. “The strategic location and the substantial enhance in 2C contingent sources place Botala in a wonderful place to contribute considerably to fuel and basic power safety in Botswana and Southern Africa”, it mentioned.
“Southern Africa is going through a looming fuel shortfall disaster from early 2026 onwards” Botala added. “This stems from a mix of depleting fuel reserves and growing demand throughout the area.
“Key current suppliers, resembling Sasol, have publicly introduced they must stop provide to merchants and industrial customers by mid-2026 on account of: depletion of their fuel reserves in Mozambique; strategic shift to retain extra fuel output for their very own operations”.
Botala mentioned it goals to provide most, if not all, of the federal government’s goal of 100 megawatts (MW) of electrical energy from CBM sources.
In addition to coal-bed methane, there aren’t any confirmed reserves of different fossil fuels in Botswana, in line with the Botswana Power Regulatory Authority (BERA). BERA estimates that the nation holds over 200 billion tons of coal reserves.
Ten to 100 MW of CBM energy is focused to be achieved by 2025, apart from 300 MW from coal by 2026, in line with BERA’s “Built-in Useful resource Plan for Electrical energy for Botswana”, printed October 2020.
“The power demand in southern Africa has been rising steadily, pushed by financial growth and inhabitants progress”, Botala mentioned. “Botswana, particularly, faces important challenges in making certain dependable electrical energy provide, which has been impacted by declining manufacturing from Eskom and the SAPP grid”.
It was referring to South Africa’s state-owned grid operator, which is struggling to take care of energy provide at house, and the Southern African Energy Pool.
“Over the previous 15 years, the reliability of electrical energy manufacturing by Eskom and the Southern African Energy Pool grid has considerably declined, primarily on account of mismanagement, getting older infrastructure, and inadequate upkeep”, Botala mentioned.
It mentioned, “The important thing market entry factors for Botala’s fuel embody native LNG consumption, energy era, industrial use, and prospects throughout the Southern African Energy Pool”.
“The regional marketplace for pure fuel is substantial, with important demand in energy era and industrial sectors”, Botala added.
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