Sasol Limited – Annual report – 30 June 2023
Industry: oil and gas
PROVISIONS
1 Decrease in rehabilitation provision capitalised in 2023 relates primarily to an increase in discount rates.
* Increase relates mainly to a reassessment of cost estimates and volumes used in the environmental provisions.
Environmental provisions
In accordance with the Group’s published environmental policy and applicable legislation, a provision for rehabilitation is recognised when the obligation arises, representing the estimated actual cash flows in the period in which the obligation is settled.
The environmental obligation includes estimated costs for the rehabilitation of coal mining, oil, gas and petrochemical sites. The amount provided is calculated based on currently available facts and applicable legislation.
In line with the requirements of the legislation of South Africa, the utilisation of certain investments is restricted for mining rehabilitation purposes. These investments amounted to R749 million (2022 – R700 million). In addition, indemnities of R2 527 million (2022 – R2 314 million) are in place.
The following risk-free rates were used to discount the estimated cash flows based on the underlying currency and time duration of the obligation.
1 Includes emission right provisions of R605 million (2022 – R609 million).
Accounting policies:
Estimated long-term environmental provisions, comprising pollution control, rehabilitation and mine closure, are based on the Group’s environmental policy taking into account current technological, environmental and regulatory requirements. The provision for rehabilitation is recognised as and when the environmental liability arises. To the extent that the obligations relate to the construction of an asset, they are capitalised as part of the cost of those assets. The effect of subsequent changes to assumptions in estimating an obligation for which the provision was recognised as part of the cost of the asset is adjusted against the asset. Any subsequent changes to an obligation which did not relate to the initial construction of a related asset are charged to the income statement. The increase in discounted long-term provisions as a result of the passage of time is recognised as a finance expense in the income statement.
The estimated present value of future decommissioning costs, taking into account current environmental and regulatory requirements, is capitalised as part of property, plant and equipment, to the extent that they relate to the construction of the asset, and the related provisions are raised. These estimates are reviewed at least annually.
Deferred tax is recognised on the temporary differences in relation to both the asset to which the obligation relates to and rehabilitation provision.
Termination benefits are recognised as a liability at the earlier of the date of recognition of restructuring costs or when the Group is demonstrably committed, without realistic possibility of withdrawal, to a formal detailed plan to either terminate employment before normal retirement date, or to provide termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. In the case of an offer to encourage voluntary redundancy, the termination benefits are measured based on the number of employees expected to accept the offer. Benefits that are expected to be wholly settled more than 12 months after the end of the reporting period are discounted to their present value.
Areas of judgement:
The determination of long-term provisions, in particular environmental provisions, remains a key area where management’s judgement is required. Estimating the future cost of these obligations is complex and requires management to make estimates and judgements because most of the obligations will only be fulfilled in the future and contracts and laws are often not clear regarding what is required. The resulting provisions could also be influenced by changing technologies and political, environmental, safety, business and statutory considerations as well as the period in which it will be settled. The pace of transition to a low carbon economy will impact the anticipated time period over which decommissioning liabilities are expected to be incurred in future.
Accounts examples 