Johannesburg, South Africa – February 10, 2026 – Kinetiko Energy (ASX:KKO), an onshore gas exploration and development company, is making significant strides in commercializing South Africa’s largest onshore natural gas resource.
The company is strategically targeting the shallow conventional gas resources in Mpumalanga Province, aiming to provide a cleaner, more reliable alternative to coal-based electricity for a nation grappling with persistent power shortages.
Kinetiko Energy has successfully secured its first gas reserves with strong economic potential, boasting an impressive 6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of 2C contingent resources. This substantial resource base positions the company to become a key player in South Africa’s energy landscape, offering considerable growth potential for its onshore gas project.
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The company is advancing a phased development plan through its Project Alpha, underpinned by a binding Joint Development Agreement with FFS Refiners. This partnership is set to kickstart a staged LNG project, beginning with a 5,000-tonne-per-annum (tpa) pilot plant, marking a tangible step towards gas production.
The strategic location of Kinetiko’s exploration assets is a critical advantage. Situated near ageing coal-fired power stations and existing energy infrastructure, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver gas directly to a domestic market in urgent need of stable power.
The Brakfontein gas project, Kinetiko Energy’s most advanced gas field, consists of a cluster of seven shallow conventional gas wells strategically located near these key power demand centers in Mpumalanga Province.
Recent extended flow test results from production test wells at Brakfontein have been highly encouraging, demonstrating methane purity exceeding 98.5%. This high-quality gas, combined with the project’s proximity to infrastructure, significantly enhances its economic viability and attractiveness. The company also holds additional exploration acreage, providing further potential to grow its current contingent resources and reserves, ensuring a long-term supply of natural gas.
Kinetiko’s management team brings a wealth of experience, combining extensive local operational knowledge, capital markets expertise, and decades of experience in energy and infrastructure. This robust leadership is crucial as the company transitions from an explorer to a gas producer, navigating the complexities of project development and market integration. The clear pathway from exploration to production is further supported by recent funding, ongoing reserve certification work, and applications for production rights.
For South Africa, Kinetiko Energy’s progress represents a vital step towards energy security and a cleaner energy future. By harnessing its domestic gas resources, the country can reduce its reliance on imported fuels and mitigate the environmental impact of its energy production.
The high stakes involve not just alleviating load-shedding but also fostering industrial growth and creating a more sustainable energy mix for the nation. Kinetiko Energy is poised to play a pivotal role in this critical transition, transforming its vast gas resources into a tangible solution for South Africa’s energy challenges.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
