Our History

PetroSA was formed in January 2002 from the merger of three previous entities: Mossgas (Pty) Limited, Soekor (Pty) Limited, and parts of the Strategic Fuel Fund Association. Here are some of the key milestones leading up to this historic merger:

1st Land Search For Oil

Following the establishment of Soekor, the first land search for oil commences in Beaufort West, Western Cape. Small accumulations of oil are found, but they are non-commercial.

1st offshore well drilled

First offshore well drilled by Superior Group. Natural gas deposits are also discovered in the continental shelf complex off the Southern Cape coast.

Discovery of the F A gas field

Discovery of the F A gas field in Block 9 of the Bredasdorp Basin, off the Southern Cape coast. Soekor and other parties drill 48 boreholes. The exploration discovers gas in 25 and oil in seven.

Discovery of the E-M field

Discovery of the E M field, which together with the F A field, provides the basis for establishing the GTL project in Mossel Bay.

Discovery of Oryx

Discovery of Oryx, the first of South Africa's current oil producing fields. Oryx is 100% owned by PetroSA.

Discovery of Oribi (E BT1) oilfield

Discovery of Oribi (E BT1) oilfield, 140 km South West of Mossel Bay. Oribi is owned 80% by PetroSA and 20% BY Energy Africa Limited. The first oil produced comes from the E AG1 and E AR1 boreholes during extended well tests. The yield is sold on the local market. 1992

GTL Refinery starts producing

The FA fields as well as the Mossel Bay gas to liquids (GTL) refinery start producing. At the time, Mossel Bay is the world's largest commercial GTL refinery.

F O Gas project is initiated

The F O gas project is initiated. This will augment the gas feedstock supply to the GTL refinery.