Also known as: international oil and petroleum company Shell
Oil and gas company operating 25 exploration wells in Namibia's Orange Basin with recent discoveries including the Merlin-1X well.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
Shell is conducting or planning exploration and appraisal drilling campaigns offshore Namibia
“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.”
Oil, gas dream turns into struggle for qualified NamibiansThe Namibian
Shell did not exercise its option for a second exploration well
“Northern Ocean says Shell did not exercise its option for a second exploration well, bringing the campaign to a close after a single-well programme.”
Shell contract ends as Deepsea Mira heads to Walvis Bay for upgradesThe Namibian
Shell delivered hydrocarbons in Orange Basin campaign, but showed not every discovery converts neatly into commercial development
“Shell's Orange Basin campaign delivered hydrocarbons too, but also showed that not every discovery converts neatly into a commercial development.”
Oil Discovery Not the Real AchievementThe Namibian
Shell had its offshore drilling authorisation set aside by a South African court in 2025 due to flawed environmental process
“A South African court set aside TotalEnergies and Shell's offshore drilling authorisation in 2025 because the environmental process was flawed, that case cost years of project time.”
What Are Oil and Gas Companies Looking For?The Namibian
Shell announced oil discovery off the coast of Namibia with QatarEnergy
“QatarEnergy and Shell have announced a new oil discovery off the coast of Namibia.”
New oil discovery offshore NamibiaThe Namibian
Shell drilled 11 exploration wells in Orange Basin
“The statistics indicate that of 11 exploration wells drilled by Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp Energia, nine were declared as oil discoveries and only two dry holes, indicating a success rate of over 80%.”
How Namibia Can Leapfrog Africa’s Industrial TrapThe Namibian
Shell delivered hydrocarbons in Orange Basin campaign, but not all discoveries converted neatly into commercial development
“Shell's Orange Basin campaign delivered hydrocarbons too, but also showed that not every discovery converts neatly into a commercial development.”
Governing the Orange Basin Before Habits Harden Can institutions and policy mature quick enough to shape the basin before momentum hardens into habit?Informanté
Shell continued to drive exploration and appraisal activities
“Major international operators, including Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp, alongside the national oil company NAMCOR, continued to drive exploration and appraisal activities, positioning Namibia as an emerging regional energy hub.”
Namibia’s oil and gas sector advances toward development phase — reportNew Era
Shell confirmed and pledged rapid exploration progress and long-term partnership in Namibia
“The company confirmed rapid exploration progress and pledged long-term partnership in the country.”
NNN pushes win-win oil partnershipsThe Namibian
Shell has drilled 25 exploration wells in Namibia's Orange Basin in four years
“The international oil and petroleum company Shell has drilled 25 exploration wells in Namibia's Orange Basin in four years, in a record for the company in Namibia.”
Shell hits record of 25 exploration wells in four yearsNamibia's government holds a 24% equity stake in the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, with its share funded through grants from development partners. The country is also expanding uranium exploration in the Omaheke Region and Nasan Energies has acquired 52 service stations to become Namibia's third-largest oil marketing company.
20 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's government holds a 24% equity stake in the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, with its share funded through grants from development partners. The country is also expanding uranium exploration in the Omaheke Region and Nasan Energies has acquired 52 service stations to become Namibia's third-largest oil marketing company.
20 July 2026 · Informanté →
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.
13 July 2026 · New Era →
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse has approved the merger between Nasan Energies and the divestiture business from Vivo Energy and Engen Namibia, while suspending enforcement of several conditions imposed by the Namibia Competition Commission. The decision follows a review application by Nasan Energies in April; the merger involved Nasan acquiring 52 Shell and Engen service stations divested as a competition remedy after Vivo Energy acquired Engen's downstream fuel business.
13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Deepsea Mira drilling rig has completed its offshore Namibia drilling campaign for Shell after a single-well programme that ran from April to July 2024, generating about US$31 million in revenue for its owner Northern Ocean. The rig is now heading to Walvis Bay for upgrades before Northern Ocean markets it for new contracts expected in the second half of 2026.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's real task is not to celebrate oil discoveries in the Orange Basin, but to develop the institutional, technical, and commercial discipline needed to govern them before project momentum shapes outcomes. Discovery creates only the possibility of achievement; the state must understand what resources it has found and govern them effectively before bad habits harden.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Before investing in Namibia's Orange Basin, international oil companies assess not just geology but also government factors, with fiscal stability—assurance that tax rates and cost-recovery rules will not change—being the single most important requirement.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Shell, alongside partners QatarEnergy and Namcor, announced an oil discovery from the Merlin-1X exploration well in PEL 39 in the Orange Basin. Namcor said the well has delivered good reservoir quality, light oil and limited associated gas, making it the best result of ten wells drilled in the licence so far.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Namcor acting managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende has criticised the government's award of a N$7.2 billion three-month fuel supply contract to Vitol, saying the deal is "counter-productive and monopolistic" and will damage the downstream fuel sector's long-term competitiveness. Hinda-Mbuende claims Namcor offered a cheaper deal and that Vitol's ownership of Shell and Engen service stations creates conflicts of interest that could harm competitors.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Nasan Energies, which acquired 52 service stations from Vivo Energy, is requiring fuel retailers to pay upfront for fuel rather than the traditional post-delivery payment model. Retailers claim Nasan lacks operational cash flow and is forcing prepaid contracts that differ from the original Vivo agreements.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has awarded Vitol an exclusive fuel supply contract for July to September, saying the company's offer to supply fuel at standard price without extra charges or public subsidy distinguished it from other bidders, whose proposals included additional conditions.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Vivo Energy Namibia has completed the sale of 52 Engen and Shell-branded service stations to Nasan Energies, fulfilling a regulatory commitment to the Namibian Competition Commission made as a condition of Vivo's May 2024 purchase of Engen Limited from Petronas.
27 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
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.
18 April 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told Shell that Namibia's emerging oil industry must deliver direct benefits to citizens, stressing that partnerships must be win-win arrangements. Shell's exploration executive praised Namibia's policy environment and efficiency, committing to long-term partnership with emphasis on local skills transfer and capacity building.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
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 →
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.
16 April 2026 · New Era →
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 →
South Sudan and Mauritius have announced electricity rationing measures due to fuel shortages triggered by the US and Israel's conflict with Iran, which is disrupting energy supplies across Africa. Several other African countries including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda are implementing fuel conservation measures and facing supply shortages or price increases.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The locally owned Nasan Energies has received approval from the Namibia Competition Commission to purchase 52 fuel service stations (operating under Engen and Shell brands) from Vivo Energy Namibia. Upon completion, the company will become Namibia's third-largest fuel retailer and aims to boost local ownership in a sector historically dominated by foreign operators.
23 March 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Competition Commission has approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 Engen and Shell-branded service stations from Vivo Energy, positioning Nasan as the country's third-largest fuel retailer. The purchase was conditional on divestment to prevent monopolistic control, following concerns about potential connections between Nasan's co-founder Miguel Hamutenya and Vivo's parent company Vitol.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The 32 member countries of the International Energy Agency have agreed to release a record 400 million barrels from emergency reserves to address global oil supply shortages and soaring prices caused by conflict disrupting exports through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say the move offers only short-term relief, amounting to roughly three or four days of global oil supply.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.
2 March 2026 · The Namibian →
According to a Chevening alumnus writing for The Namibian, while fossil fuels remain crucial for energy access in sub-Saharan Africa and developing regions, the oil and gas industry must innovate through carbon capture, natural gas as a transition fuel, and emissions-reduction technologies to coexist with renewables and meet net-zero climate commitments.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.
25 February 2026 · New Era →
The Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would vest petroleum sector oversight powers in the Office of the President rather than the Ministry of Mines and Energy, faced mixed scrutiny in the National Assembly. Critics including Bernadus Swartbooi raised concerns about the legal doctrine of functus officio limiting presidential review powers and complicating court challenges, while others questioned whether oil advisors at State House are already performing duties that legally belong to the ministry.
19 February 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Competition Commission is investigating whether Nasan Energies' acquisition of 53 service stations from Vivo Energy violates divestiture conditions meant to prevent market dominance, citing alleged connections between Nasan co-founder Miguel Hamutenya and Vitol, Vivo's major shareholder. NaCC preliminary findings warn the deal could result in a combined market share of about 70%, contrary to the regulator's requirement that the buyer be independent with less than 10% market share.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →