Also known as: Orange Oil Basin
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Orange Basin
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
The Energy Explainer Pt 3:Before any international oil companies (IOCs) invest a single dollar in Namibia’s Orange Basin, they run a quiet checklist, and most of it has nothing to do with oil.In this series, we have been using the analogy of a neighbour walking into your kitchen …
What Are Oil and Gas Companies Looking For?The Namibian
… The two oil companies are partners in petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 39 in the Orange Basin and announced the discovery on Tuesday. …
New oil discovery offshore NamibiaThe Namibian
… TotalEnergies, one of the most significant players in Namibia’s Orange Basin, is expected to make its final investment decision (FID) before 2026 ends. …
The Energy Explainer Part 2: The Readiness Gap – Why Most SMEs Aren’t Ready YetWindhoek Observer
… Namibia’s offshore Orange Basin remains the main focus of exploration activity following major oil discoveries announced by international operators over the past few years. …
Offshore oil, gas sector continues to attract international interestThe Namibian
… A GAME-CHANGER Namibia’s Orange Basin has delivered astonishing results that are turning heads across the global energy industry. …
How Namibia Can Leapfrog Africa’s Industrial TrapInformanté
… This dynamic, Jansen warns, remains highly relevant as Namibia stands on the brink of a potential resource boom driven by offshore oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin, as well as opportunities in critical minerals and green hydrogen. …
Singapore model holds lessons for Namibia’s growth pathInformanté
Business Reporter KNOWN to use drilling technologies that reach depths of 3,000 metres on the Namibian ocean floor—the abyssal zone, where light ceases to be—the technologies used in Namibia’s Orange Basin are capital-intensive and are said to be more advanced than those used to …
Race to get slice of oil and gas cake kicks off as Petrofund hosts workshop for MSMEsThe Namibian
… hief executive, Risco Mutelo, informed the court in a sworn statement that his company and the companies Vena Gemstones & Mining and Canadian Global Energy Corp applied for petroleum exploration licences in respect of Namibia’s blocks 2712A and 2812A, situated in the Orange Basin …
Company loses ‘urgent’ case about petroleum licenceThe Namibian
The real task is not to celebrate the Orange Basin. It is to govern it before its success outruns the country’s ability to shape it. …
Governing the Orange Basin Before Habits Harden Can institutions and policy mature quick enough to shape the basin before momentum hardens into habit?Informanté
… The report highlights sustained offshore activity in the Orange Basin, where continued drilling, evaluation, and resource delineation have reinforced Namibia’s position as one of the world’s most promising deepwater energy frontiers. …
Namibia’s oil and gas sector advances toward development phase — reportNamibia's goal to become a major green hydrogen exporter faces a longer path to commercial viability as oil exploration accelerates, with companies like TotalEnergies and Equinor advancing petroleum projects while large-scale hydrogen initiatives struggle to secure financing and buyers, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
2 hours ago · The Namibian →
Namibia's goal to become a major green hydrogen exporter faces a longer path to commercial viability as oil exploration accelerates, with companies like TotalEnergies and Equinor advancing petroleum projects while large-scale hydrogen initiatives struggle to secure financing and buyers, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research.
2 hours ago · The Namibian →
Revenue from oil exploration rental fees nearly quadrupled budgeted expectations to reach N$37.93 million as licence holders renewed or extended contracts amid increased exploration activity, the Auditor-General's audit of the ministry of industries, mines and energy shows. Diamond royalty revenue, by contrast, fell N$629.99 million short of the Ministry's estimate, collecting N$1.15 billion against the projected N$1.78 billion, attributed to reduced production by local diamond companies.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy says its 90% local employment target is a flexible goal subject to skills assessments, not a firm commitment. The company is conducting a skills audit to determine whether Namibia has enough skilled workers to meet the target.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta told financial journalists that accurate reporting is essential to financial stability, warning that inaccurate or incomplete information can lead to poor decisions and financial uncertainty. He cited the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapse as an example of how quickly information can trigger widespread action.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin and green energy developments are positioning the country as an energy frontier. A supplier database is being used to connect local suppliers with opportunities in these sectors.
18 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
US Ambassador John Giordano was denied entry to the National Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay on Friday because he had not been invited to the paid-for event and was not listed on the guest list. The denial was based on protocol rules preventing entry after the president had already been seated.
7 September 2026 · New Era →
TotalEnergies, which completed acquisition of operatorship of PEL 83 from Galp in December 2025, plans to begin a three-well appraisal campaign on the Mopane discovery as early as mid-2026 and target a final investment decision on the project in 2028, while exploring further opportunities beyond the development.
7 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian government has approved TotalEnergies' takeover as operator of petroleum exploration licence 83, which contains the Mopane discovery. TotalEnergies now owns 40% of the block, with partner Galp Energia holding 40%, and plans a three-well appraisal campaign ahead of a final investment decision targeted for 2028.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
As Namibia's energy sector shifts focus from exploration to production readiness, businesses must begin preparing now to participate in the industry, understanding technical standards, complex contracts, and procurement requirements of international operators rather than waiting until production begins.
3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, speaking at the Offshore Northern Seas Summit in Norway, urged international investors to explore Namibia's emerging oil and gas opportunities, noting that the country has moved beyond exploration to the development phase with recent discoveries in the Orange Basin including Venus, where partners plan a floating production system with approximately 160,000 barrels per day capacity.
30 August 2026 · Informanté →
Norwegian energy major Equinor has acquired a 17.4% participating interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence 90 (PEL 90) offshore Namibia and expressed optimism about the potential for a significant oil discovery in the Orange Basin, with a drill-ready prospect scheduled for testing later this year.
30 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Minister of International Relations called on the Republic of the Congo to increase investment and strengthen economic cooperation, highlighting agricultural and agro-processing value chains, particularly Namibian beef, as key areas for expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
26 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia has made significant offshore oil discoveries but has not yet begun commercial production. Before counting potential revenue, the country needs serious national dialogue about resource ownership, development, government revenue, realistic expectations, and preventing an oil boom from becoming a resource curse—but Namibians currently lack sufficient understanding of the industry.
21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi said Namibia's oil discoveries will be measured on how many Namibian lives they improve, and called on Namibians to actively participate in developing the emerging oil and gas industry to create employment, skills, and infrastructure.
20 August 2026 · New Era →
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, Solewant Group CEO Solomon Ewanehi argued that local content policies should aim to develop internationally competitive Namibian companies capable of winning work across Africa, rather than simply sheltering domestic businesses from competition.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Harmattan Energy Limited, a Chevron subsidiary, has agreed to farm out a 17.4 percent participating interest in Petroleum Exploration License 90 in Namibia's Orange Basin to Equinor Energy International AS. The transaction is subject to pre-emption rights and regulatory approvals, with an exploration well scheduled before year-end.
20 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Cabinet has approved the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy, designed to increase Namibian participation across the petroleum value chain through local business development, employment, skills transfer, and procurement access. The government aims to move from exploration to production between 2026 and 2030, prioritising local employment, suppliers, and skills development.
20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026, Honourable Modestus Amutse, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, called on Namibia to be ready for first oil and to maximise local benefits from the industry, addressing discoveries in the Orange Basin.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Special Advisor Kornelia Shilunga outlined Namibia's vision for converting oil and gas sector decisions into national benefits at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Economic Association of Namibia chairperson Jason Kasuto warned Namibian companies to immediately upgrade their financial, regulatory, and technical capabilities to compete in the nation's growing oil and gas sector. He stressed that international oil companies operate on strict schedules and will only contract suppliers that meet their standards, which require registration, certification, financial proof, and insurance.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia should prioritize equity ownership in its oil discoveries—particularly Venus, Graff, and Mopane in the Orange Basin—rather than limiting itself to local-content arrangements that only provide wages and services, contrasting this approach with Norway's wealth-building model.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Welwitschia Fund, established in 2022 to convert Namibia's resource wealth into longer-term financial wealth, has recorded a market value of US$30.85 million (N$508.47 million) as of 31 July, with an annualised return of 15.5% since inception. The fund is designed to strengthen Namibia's resilience to economic shocks and promote intergenerational equity, with a companion Sovereign Wealth Fund of Namibia Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2026.
17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia holds carried stakes in multiple offshore oil and gas blocks, including 10% of the Venus field licence expected to be developed by TotalEnergies by 2029. The article argues that the national conversation should focus on whether these current equity positions will translate into meaningful ownership as production begins.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The US ambassador told an audience at the Namibia Mining Expo that American companies are committed to supporting Namibia's mining and energy development through investment in local jobs, skills development, and value addition across the entire production chain, rather than simply extracting raw materials.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Namibia's economic growth through investment and commercial partnerships, with senior US officials and business leaders meeting Namibian government representatives and industry stakeholders to discuss opportunities in mining, energy and investment.
5 August 2026 · Informanté →
Shell has announced it will fast-track appraisal drilling following an offshore oil discovery in Namibia's Orange Basin, with reservoir quality and fluid characteristics described as the best seen so far within its licence area. The Windhoek Observer cautions that while the discovery is encouraging, Namibia should exercise restraint and national wisdom, as the path from exploration success to sustained prosperity is long and littered with examples of resource-rich nations that failed to convert natural resources into lasting development.
5 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia has retained its position as Africa's leading destination for greenfield FDI, ranking second globally in the 2026 fDi Intelligence Greenfield FDI Performance Index with a score of 7.74, driven by major energy discoveries, renewable energy opportunities, and an improving business environment.
4 August 2026 · Informanté →
A report by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the International Labour Organization warns that Namibia currently has only about 45% of the skills required to support its emerging oil and gas sector, with major offshore discoveries by Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp Energia expected to drive first oil production around 2029 or 2030. The report highlights a mismatch between skills produced by local education and training institutions and the specialized competencies demanded by the industry.
1 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy approved TotalEnergies' acquisition of a 40% interest and operatorship of Galp Energia's Mopane oil discovery in the Orange Basin, while Galp will acquire a 10% stake in TotalEnergies' Venus project. The transaction advances Namibia's offshore petroleum sector and strengthens TotalEnergies' strategic presence in the region.
26 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian contract workers on TotalEnergies' offshore oil project say they were handed new employment terms on a 'take-it-or-leave-it' basis with no room to negotiate, citing concerns about no pension, limited medical aid, and years without salary increases. TotalEnergies and recruitment firm Apos deny wrongdoing, saying the new terms improve pay and benefits.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →