16-07-08 Sasol, the world's biggest maker of motor fuel from coal, said it would start drilling its hydrocarbon exploration project offshore Mozambique in the third quarter of 2008.
South Africa's Sasol intends to supply the natural gas to markets in Mozambique and South Africa should the drilling be successful, the group said.

Sasol and Mozambican State Oil Company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), agreed to lease a mobile offshore drilling unit with Transocean Offshore International Ventures. Two towing and anchor handling vessels to support the rig will be supplied by Varun Shipping Company. The rig and vessels are expected to arrive in Mozambique by end-August.
"The drilling of exploration wells will take place in deep water, well away from the shallow environmentally sensitive waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago," said Lean Strauss group general manager, Sasol International Energy Cluster.

Sasol and ENH are the concession holders of Blocks 16 and 19 offshore Mozambique.
The exploration area covers about 11,000 sq km and is directly opposite Sasol's existing onshore gas operations at Pande and Temane in Mozambique.