Namibia’s government is preparing to launch a fresh licensing round for offshore oil and gas exploration as it seeks to attract investment and accelerate drilling activities.
The announcement was made by Petroleum Commissioner Maggy Shino during a webinar hosted by the African Energy Chamber, research firm Wood Mackenzie, and Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Shino stated that the licensing round will be open to applications soon, with available blocks spanning deepwater, ultra deepwater, and shallow water zones.
“We are operating in an open licensing regime and will be receiving applications shortly,” she said.
Namibia has gained attention as one of the most promising oil frontiers in recent years, with significant discoveries made by energy majors including TotalEnergies, Shell, and Galp. These finds have spurred increased exploration interest, and drilling activity is expected to pick up in 2025.
TotalEnergies’ Venus project in Block 2913B remains a focal point, with the company targeting a final investment decision (FID) in 2026.
In addition, Shino reported that new data from the block indicates improved reservoir quality compared to nearby areas.
Meanwhile, Galp’s Mopane discovery is progressing with 3,500 km² of high density seismic data collected to refine resource estimates.
Regarding Shell’s activities in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 39, Shino acknowledged the company’s recent $400 million write down but noted that further assessments are underway.
“Shell and its partners are reviewing data from the nine wells drilled so far to determine the best pathway to development,” she stated.
In addition to these projects, BW Energy is pushing ahead with plans to drill at the Kharas prospect within the Kudu gas field.
The company has identified new potential targets, including oil reserves, with two wells scheduled for later this year.
Namibia’s untapped oil potential
Despite recent discoveries, industry analysts suggest that Namibia’s offshore basin remains largely underexplored.
“The scale is enormous there’s 220,000 km² of offshore license acreage, yet only about 20 exploration and appraisal wells have been drilled so far,” said Ian Thom, Research Director for Sub Saharan Africa Upstream at Wood Mackenzie.
Drilling efforts in Namibia are expected to increase significantly in 2025, with at least seven wells planned.
Beyond Namibia’s waters, exploration is also intensifying in South Africa’s Orange Basin, where TotalEnergies and Shell are preparing for drilling campaigns.
As the country moves closer to first oil production, the Namibian government has pledged to ensure that petroleum resources translate into long term economic benefits.
“We are committed to providing a sustainable operating environment and ensuring that discoveries lead to real economic growth for Namibia,” Shino stated.
