However, it is unclear if it has withdrawn from a deal with London-based Flacon Oil & Gas covering the Karoo basin.

In its just-published annual report Chevron stated: “The company discontinued evaluating shale gas exploration opportunities in the Karoo basin in South Africa.”

In 2012, Chevron signed a five-year deal with Falcon Oil & Gas to assess farm-in opportunities once the London-listed junior secured exploration rights in the Karoo basin.

A