South Africa May Curb Shell’s Oil Exploration Over Gas-Pump Exit

  • Government may revisit permit requests for other operations
  • Shell is planning to exit downstream business in South Africa

A Shell Plc gas station in Johannesburg. 

Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

South Africa’s energy ministry signaled it may grant fewer oil exploration permits to Shell Plc over the company’s plans to exit the nation’s fuel-supply business.

The oil major is selling its shareholding in Shell Downstream South Africa, which includes a network of 600 gas stations across the country, following a review of its business across regions and markets. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said he’s requested a meeting with Shell officials to discuss the matter.