Also known as: international oil and petroleum company Shell
Shell — energy company operating offshore oil exploration and production in Namibia's Orange Basin, with discoveries announced in 2026.
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Informanté
Shell made the Graff-1X well discovery
“The report highlights that major discoveries by international energy companies, including Shell's Graff-1X well, TotalEnergies' Venus-1X discovery and Galp Energia's Mopane discovery, have positioned Namibia as a potential new global energy frontier.”
NIPDB report highlights urgent skills gap ahead of Namibia’s oil and gas boomNew 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 partnershipsNorwegian 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 →
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 →
A consignment of Jet A-1 aviation fuel that arrived at Walvis Bay failed routine testing, creating shortages at Windhoek airport. Passenger flights to Europe, including Discover Airlines services to Frankfurt and Munich, now require refueling stops in Luanda, Angola, under an emergency fuel supply arrangement with Vitol.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
The US Ambassador to Namibia says the country's offshore petroleum discoveries could deliver long-term economic benefits, jobs, and skills development, but cautioned that a Final Investment Decision would only mark the beginning of work needed to achieve lasting prosperity. US oilfield service companies are already operating in Namibia.
19 August 2026 · Informanté →
A US delegation led by Ambassador John Giordano, including officials from the State Department's energy and trade agencies, held high-level meetings with Namibian government officials and industry leaders to expand cooperation in energy security, critical minerals, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. The delegation also represented the US at the Namibian Mining Expo and met with the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to discuss opportunities in these sectors.
18 August 2026 · Informanté →
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 National Planning Commission said government will only factor oil income into fiscal planning once oil and gas projects reach a final investment decision, and that borrowing decisions are based on broader economic projections rather than a single sector. The clarification followed criticism from the Independent Patriots for Change, which had accused the NPC director general of proposing that Namibia borrow against future oil revenues despite sector uncertainty.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 Namibia Competition Commission has objected to the proposed acquisition of Schwenk Namibia by West China Cement (Whale Rock Cement), based on stakeholder input and competition law concerns including market concentration.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Ports Authority has rejected a proposal by a Ghanaian businessman and his Namibian partners to develop a N$4-billion oil and gas supply base at the Port of Lüderitz, finding that the company did not meet requirements for a 25-year development concession.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →