Karoo

Commentary

The basin remains largely underexplored, but government agencies remain the main impediment to development, and TotalEnergies' exit from its offshore discoveries highlights the policy risk. BEE requirements and strained US relations add to the headwinds. Outlook: Negative.

Updated

October 12, 2026

Location

Description

The Karoo basins of south-central Africa evolved during the first-order cycle of Pangea, under the influence of two distinct tectonic regimes sourced from the southern and northern margins of Gondwana. The southern tectonic regime was related to orogenic processes along the palaeo-Pacific margin of Gondwana, which resulted in the formation of a retroarc foreland system known as the “main Karoo” Basin; primary mechanisms are represented by flexural and dynamic loading.

Summary

The basin remains largely under explored, and as such, is a highly prospective location. Government department support is needed to make the basin a development location, by streamlining the permitting process.