Also known as: Orange Oil Basin
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
… Namcor owns stakes in various significant oil discoveries in the Orange Basin, including the Venus-1X prospect operated by TotalEnergies, as well as Shell’s Graff-1X and Jonker-1X oil discoveries. …
Uanguta to steady Namcor shipThe Namibian
… Ndeunyema said they will publish an expression of interest for a consultant to develop this plan. “Remember, you have now all the discoveries in the Orange Basin, talk about 11 billion barrels. …
Namcor blames N$700m loss on internal breach, market instabilityThe Namibian
… In 2022, Total Energies and Shell announced discoveries of commercial oil volumes to the tune of three billion barrels in Namibia’s Orange Basin. …
‘600 000 new jobs by 2040’As TotalEnergies and other companies approach final investment decisions on Orange Basin projects before 2026, the oil and gas sector will begin broad procurement across raw materials, infrastructure, and services. However, most Namibian small and medium enterprises are not yet positioned to compete for these opportunities.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
As TotalEnergies and other companies approach final investment decisions on Orange Basin projects before 2026, the oil and gas sector will begin broad procurement across raw materials, infrastructure, and services. However, most Namibian small and medium enterprises are not yet positioned to compete for these opportunities.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's offshore oil and gas sector continues to draw international interest, with a hydrocarbon licence map showing growing exploration activity across coastal basins and frontier areas. Multiple international oil companies hold exploration licences, with newly allocated blocks involving companies such as Baobab Energy, Elephant Oil, and others, while the offshore Orange Basin remains the main focus following recent major oil discoveries.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Recent oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin, with an over 80% exploration success rate, position Namibia to avoid reliance on imported fuel and build local refining capacity—a lesson highlighted by recent fuel price shocks tied to Middle Eastern conflicts.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Economist Almandro Jansen argues that Namibia's emerging oil, gas and mineral wealth could drive long-term economic transformation or deepen structural challenges depending on governance and institutional reform. Singapore transformed from a low-income economy (US$500 GDP per capita in 1965) into a high-income hub (exceeding US$100,000 by 2025), while Namibia has reached upper-middle-income status with roughly US$5,000 GNI per capita but remains constrained by high unemployment, limited diversification, and rising fiscal pressures.
3 May 2026 · Informanté →
Petrofund, Namibia's Petroleum Training and Education Fund, has commenced a two-day workshop to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises understand opportunities and global standards required by International Oil Companies in the oil and gas sector. Minister Modestus Amutse emphasised that the initiative aligns with the government's strategy to increase MSME contribution to the national economy from 16% and noted that local capacity development is critical as Namibia approaches its first Final Investment Decision.
22 April 2026 · Informanté →
Acting judge David Mangota ruled that Zambezi Exploration's urgent application to restrain the minister of industries, mines and energy from implementing a decision about a petroleum exploration licence for block 2812A did not meet the requirements to be heard as urgent, finding the urgency was self-created because the company delayed action after learning of a rival's relinquishment in January 2023. The judge ordered Zambezi Exploration to pay the legal costs of the minister and Vena Gemstones & Mining, the company that was awarded the licence.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's emerging Orange Basin oil and gas discoveries require strong regulatory and policy frameworks before commercial development momentum becomes difficult to redirect. The country must develop technical regulatory strength, clarify its fiscal regime, and build credible local content systems before major projects are sanctioned, drawing lessons from Guyana, Trinidad, Mozambique and other petroleum states.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
18 April 2026 · Informanté →
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.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Shell has drilled 25 exploration wells in Namibia's Orange Basin over four years, a company record. The company's VP for exploration said this milestone reflects improved operational conditions under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's leadership.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and Angola signed a power purchase agreement and joint development agreement for the Angola-Namibia Power Transmission Interconnector Project (ANNA), estimated to cost about N$941 million and scheduled for completion in 2029. The 166-kilometre transmission line will link the Kunene substation in Namibia to the Cahama substation in Angola, with an initially projected capacity of up to 500 MW to enhance power system reliability and regional energy trade.
16 April 2026 · New Era →
Namibia will host the 8th Namibia International Energy Conference in April 2026, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expected to open the event. The conference theme, "The Road to First Oil & Beyond: Partnership, Investment, Growth," will focus on turning offshore oil discoveries in the Orange Basin into economic value for Namibians and supporting broader economic development across multiple sectors.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
According to Africa Provider Offshore Services CEO Veronique Herman, Namibia should leverage its oil and gas discoveries to build economic sovereignty by ensuring local ownership and participation, maintaining strict compliance with Namibian laws, and fostering collaboration among domestic companies to keep wealth and expertise within the nation.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
Petrovena Energy has been issued an award letter to enter into a petroleum agreement and be granted a licence for oil block 2812Ab in the Orange Basin, according to its Canadian partner Oregen Energy. If granted, Petrovena will expand its presence in the basin near existing discoveries of Venus and Mopane, while Oregen considers investing in Petrovena to gain access to the block.
10 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Energy company TotalEnergies has agreed to exit US offshore wind development, relinquishing two leases and receiving refunds under a settlement with the US Department of the Interior. The company will redirect its investment into US gas and power projects, citing offshore wind's high costs and potential to increase electricity prices.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
Bank Windhoek's acting executive officer of specialist finance noted that the coast now accounts for around 20% of Namibia's housing transactions, driven by lifestyle migration, tourism investment, and rental market growth. He flagged constraints including affordability challenges and supply limitations, and called for collaboration to expand housing supply and align investment with infrastructure as offshore oil and gas activity reshapes coastal property dynamics.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
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.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has called for accelerated oil and gas development to reduce reliance on imported petroleum amid geopolitical tensions and volatile global markets. Mantashe cited regulatory reforms including the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act and legislative modernisation as steps to unlock investment in the petroleum sector and ensure long-term energy security.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
16 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's economy grew at 2.9 percent in 2025, slower than expected due to factory underproduction, drought-affected farms, and reduced household spending. However, the government and central bank forecast growth between 3 and 4 percent for 2026, driven by improved rains, stronger uranium exports, and new oil and gas investment, while inflation has fallen to 2.9 percent and fuel prices have dropped.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
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.
17 February 2026 · New Era →
U.S. Ambassador John Giordano and officials from the Department of Energy toured Walvis Bay to assess Namibia's energy sector and explore opportunities for American investment, expertise, and technology, with a focus on job creation and economic growth in both countries.
15 February 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian officials showcased the country's development strategy at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, emphasizing mining as a foundation for economic growth and positioning Namibia as a regional logistics hub with potential for energy development and mineral value-addition.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian government has challenged a TotalEnergies–Petrobras agreement to acquire controlling stakes in Petroleum Exploration Licence 104 offshore, stating it was informed only minutes before the public announcement and was not formally consulted despite legal requirements for ministerial approval. The ministry stressed that all petroleum transactions require prior approval under Namibian law and reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency as the country's oil sector develops.
10 February 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has flagged the acquisition by Petrobras and TotalEnergies of a stake in oil block 2613 as unlawful, saying the government was not notified before the transaction was announced and that prior ministerial approval is required by law. Both companies have stated the transaction remains subject to Namibian government approval.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Venezuela's ambassador to Namibia has urged the country to learn from Venezuela's political crisis and develop mechanisms to protect its emerging oil and gas sector, cautioning that traditional international law and respect for sovereignty cannot be relied upon. The warning comes as Namibia positions itself as a key oil and gas frontier following major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
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.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
TotalEnergies and Galp have announced a partnership reshaping operatorship of key offshore licences in Namibia's Orange Basin, with TotalEnergies taking over PEL 83 (Mopane) and Galp acquiring interests in PEL 56 and PEL 91 (Venus). The companies briefed President Nandi-Ndaitwah on their long-term commitment to developing these discoveries responsibly while creating jobs and economic benefits for Namibians.
3 February 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Association for Offshore Oil & Gas Service Providers (NAOGSP) released a 2025 report proposing Namibia as Africa's next center for Floating Production, Storage and Offloading services, with potential Orange Basin discoveries generating N$20–50 billion for Namibian companies over the next decade and creating over 10,000 jobs.
3 February 2026 · New Era →