While the excitement and glamour of oil and gas production centres around the wells themselves, nothing would ever get done without the support of experienced service providers.

Elsewhere in this publication there is an account of what the South African Oil and Gas Association (SAOGA) is doing to coordinate and encourage South African based businesses to be part of the overall development of Africa’s oil and gas industries.

This year, DHL Express Pakistan was recognised by its parent company as the best performing operation in Asia, and independently judged the best company to work for in Pakistan. Managing director Sarfaraz Siddiqui walks down memory lane to explain how, in just four and a half years, his staff have earned such accolades.

In the midst of South Africa’s emergence as a centre of oil and gas activity, the opening of One Eighty Engineering Solutions’ new materials testing centre will provide local specialised services. 

South Africa-based Filcon Filters has set an ambitious target of 25 percent annual growth over the next three years. Directors Vernon Clarke, Tony Henfrey and George Canning talk about running a knowledge-based business.

With more than 40 years of ship repair experience, this SAOGA member is looking to expand into the oil and gas sector. General manager James Wrensch explains.

The next big expansion of Africa’s oil and gas production will be on the east, and South Africa is ideally placed to play a key role in its support and development.

For all South Africa’s undoubted bounties in terms of minable minerals, the same can’t be said for its oil & gas resources—at least not yet.

Treasury Metals has more going for it than most gold mining companies. CEO Martin Walter talks about the advantages of the Goliath project and the progress being made towards production.

In these tough economic times, it is hardly surprising that a great deal of attention is being focused on natural resources and any country lucky enough to have oil, coal or mineral reserves feels a lot more secure for that. Just how much can be derived from Canada is a matter for speculation, but there's huge interest in the known resources.

Abengoa has begun construction on two concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in South Africa.

The 50 MW solar power tower Khi Solar One and the 100 MW parabolic trough plant KaXu Solar One were two of the 28 renewable energy projects announced in late 2011 by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE intends to bring 17,800 MW of renewable energy online by 2030.

Air Products today announced the award of a contract to supply two oxygen plants at the site of a copper smelter being built in Zambia by Kansanshi Mining Plc. 

The scope of the agreement includes Air Products supply of two 750 metric ton per day oxygen plants, and all air separation unit (ASU) related equipment and design. The construction of the facility will be undertaken by Kansanshi Mining Plc, with cooperation from Air Products. The ASUs are planned to be on-stream in 2014.