Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
July 2026
New Era
Chevronis conducting or planning exploration and appraisal drilling campaignsoffshore Namibia
Source
“Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector has attracted several international oil companies, including Shell, TotalEnergies, Chevron, Rhino Resources and Galp, which are conducting or planning exploration and appraisal drilling campaigns offshore Namibia.”
Chevron's Kapana-1X welldid not yieldcommercial hydrocarbons
Source
“While some exploration efforts, such as Chevron's Kapana-1X well, did not yield commercial hydrocarbons, the data collected has contributed to a better understanding of Namibia's offshore geology and future exploration potential.”
Chevronconfirmedwill drill Nabba-1X exploration well in late 2026
Source
“Energy major Chevron confirmed that the company will drill the Nabba-1X exploration well in late 2026, marking a key step in its expanding Namibian portfolio and reinforcing confidence in the basin's long-term deepwater potential.”
Chevronconfirmedfurther drilling projects for this year
Source
“Chevron and Rhino Resources have both confirmed further drilling projects for this year, however, none of the oil majors at the Namibia International Energy Conference hinted at a final investment decision.”
“Giordano said, "Namibia has the potential to become a promising oil and gas producer – with international energy leaders like Chevron and Shell actively appraising significant offshore discoveries, supported by US oilfield service companies such as Baker Hughes, Halliburton and SLB".”
Chevronisan American oil major already operating in Namibia
Source
“The ambassador listed American companies already operating in Namibia, including oil majors Chevron and ExxonMobil and oil field service companies Baker Hughes, Halliburton and SLB.”
ChevronnamedBeatrice Bienvenu as country manager for Namibia and West Africa
Source
“Her appointment follows Chevron's decision in August last year to name Beatrice Bienvenu as country manager for Namibia and West Africa, with the responsibility of overseeing the company's exploration activities across the region.”
Chevronhas appointedEmmanuelle Garinet as director of exploration for Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa
Source
“Chevron has appointed Emmanuelle Garinet as director of exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing one of the upstream industry's most experienced exploration geophysicists into a strategic leadership role overseeing discovery efforts across two of the world's most important hydrocarbon regions.”
Young Namibians who obtained internationally recognised offshore training in anticipation of jobs in the emerging oil and gas sector are facing difficulties securing employment, despite the government projecting 4,000 to 12,000 jobs over the next 30 years. One woman spent N$50,000 of her savings on offshore certification in South Africa after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged Namibians to prepare for opportunities in the sector, but has yet to secure work in the industry.
Young Namibians who obtained internationally recognised offshore training in anticipation of jobs in the emerging oil and gas sector are facing difficulties securing employment, despite the government projecting 4,000 to 12,000 jobs over the next 30 years. One woman spent N$50,000 of her savings on offshore certification in South Africa after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged Namibians to prepare for opportunities in the sector, but has yet to secure work in the industry.
Namibia's oil and gas industry has shifted from early-stage exploration toward appraisal and development planning, with major international operators like Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp positioning the country as an emerging regional energy hub. The sector is projected to contribute up to 5.8% to GDP annually during production, with first oil and gas expected between 2029 and 2030, provided governance and local content policies are strengthened.
U.S. Ambassador John Giordano highlighted Namibia's strategic role in a proposed Southern African Energy Corridor, emphasizing its potential as an oil and gas producer and leading uranium exporter, while noting that success requires clear regulatory frameworks and strong government-industry alignment. The remarks were made during a high-level engagement at the U.S. Embassy with global energy leaders ahead of the Namibia International Energy Conference.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced a major push to accelerate petroleum reforms, including an exploration and production amendment bill, to improve regulatory efficiency and investor confidence as Namibia moves toward first oil production in the Orange Basin. Major operators including Chevron, TotalEnergies and Rhino Resources are advancing exploration and development activities, with emphasis on ensuring legal and institutional frameworks, local participation and broad-based economic benefits keep pace with upstream activity.
Despite targeting 2030 for first oil production, Chevron and Rhino Resources announced further drilling projects at Namibia's energy conference but neither committed to final investment decisions. The government hopes for FIDs by 2026, though policy uncertainty around gas flaring and regulatory delays are hindering investment confidence.
US Ambassador John Giordano convened government officials and international energy executives at the US Embassy to advance integration of Namibia's energy, minerals and logistics systems into a scalable Southern African corridor. Giordano emphasized Namibia's potential as an oil and gas producer anchored by uranium production and robust infrastructure, while stressing the importance of regulatory clarity and alignment among governments, industry and capital for execution.
US Ambassador John Giordano said at the Powering Africa Summit that Namibia's uranium, oil, and gas resources make it central to global energy security, and the US seeks to position itself as a development partner to help strengthen supply chain resilience while positioning American companies early in Namibian projects.
Chevron has appointed Mwanyengwa Shapwanale as deputy country manager and local content manager for its Namibia operations. Shapwanale, who previously worked as manager for local content and vendor assurance at Chevron and as deputy country manager at Reconnaissance Energy Namibia, brings more than a decade of experience in journalism and corporate communications.
Chevron has appointed Mwanyengwa 'Ndapewoshali' Shapwanale as deputy country manager and local content manager for its Namibia operations, strengthening its leadership team amid ongoing offshore exploration activity. Shapwanale previously worked as manager for local content and vendor assurance at Chevron.
Chevron has appointed Emmanuelle Garinet as director of exploration for the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa as the energy supermajor enters a new phase of exploration-led growth across Africa. The company is evaluating prospects in Namibia's Walvis Basin and plans to drill an exploration well between 2026 and 2027, building on major deepwater discoveries in the Orange Basin.
Namibia's Revenue Agency has warned that mineral and petroleum licence transfers are subject to Namibian tax even when conducted abroad, with only 5% of companies currently complying. A tax amnesty expires in October, but industry representatives have raised concerns that the current tax regime discourages investment.
United States Ambassador John Giordano completed a 10-day mission across Namibia, Washington and Cape Town to mobilise American capital and technology into Namibia's oil, gas and mining industries, framing critical minerals as essential to US energy security in the "AI era". The diplomatic push aims to position US firms to compete in Namibia's offshore energy, uranium and critical minerals sectors while deepening strategic energy partnerships.
With heightened US interest in Namibia's uranium, lithium, and oil resources, Namibian trade officials say they will promote mineral beneficiation, downstream processing, and manufacturing partnerships rather than exporting raw materials alone. The government aims to position Namibia as a stable investment partner and regional logistics hub, with US ambassador visiting the Erongo region to assess energy opportunities including the Orange Basin and Port of Walvis Bay.
Libya granted oil exploration and production licences to foreign energy companies including Chevron and BP on Wednesday, marking the first such awards since Muammar Gaddafi's 2011 overthrow, though only five of 20 blocks offered received bids. Analysts attributed the limited response to concerns over Libya's political division and security risks.
Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector faces a 30-year legal vacuum in gas-related legislation and internal corruption scandals at Namcor, even as offshore exploration has confirmed 21 billion barrels of crude and significant gas deposits. A power struggle between resource nationalists and business factions over control of the industry has intensified following President Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment and her move to centralise upstream petroleum functions in the Office of the President.
Chevron has renewed its diamond sponsorship of the Namibia International Energy Conference (scheduled for April 2026) as the country prepares for first oil following major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin. The conference aims to bring together government, energy companies, and investors to discuss Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector, which analysts project could contribute up to 18% of GDP at peak production.
Businessman Knowledge Katti's Sintana Energy has paid a N$16.3 million deposit to secure negotiation rights over a stake in PEL 37, an oil exploration licence controlled by Paragon Oil & Gas. The licence has been controversial, linked to the firing of former mines minister Natangwe Ithete, and Sintana has until April 2026 to complete due diligence and negotiate terms to become a shareholder in Paragon.
US President Donald Trump met with major oil executives at the White House to encourage investment in Venezuela's oil reserves, saying his administration would decide which companies operate there. One CEO called Venezuela "uninvestable" without reforms, though analysts said Trump's push faces economic and strategic obstacles.
Global oil prices remained largely flat after the US military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend, with US crude falling 0.54% to $57.01 per barrel and Brent falling 0.36% to $60.53. Despite Venezuela holding the world's largest proven crude oil reserves, OPEC+ statements indicate the oil market remains balanced with sufficient supply to meet demand.