Also known as: French oil giant TotalEnergies · FRENCH energy major TotalEnergies · TotalEnergies EP Namibia BV · TotalEnergies EP Congo · Total
International oil company operating in Namibia's Orange Basin with Venus oil development project under government review for final investment decision.
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The Namibian
TotalEnergies will hold a 40% stake in the Mopane licence after transaction completion
“TotalEnergies will hold a 40% stake in the licence after the transaction is completed.”
Namibia is a ‘golden province’ for TotalEnergiesThe Namibian
TotalEnergies have been accused of undermining Namibian law in bid to purchase oil licence
“International oil giants TotalEnergies and Petrobras have been accused of undermining Namibian law in their bid to purchase an oil licence partly owned by oil tycoon Knowledge Katti's company.”
TotalEnergies and Petrobras face backlash over disputed Namibian oil licence PEL104The Namibian
TotalEnergies denied acting unlawfully in acquisition of PEL104
“TotalEnergies and Petrobras have denied acting unlawfully in their acquisition of PEL104.”
TotalEnergies and Petrobras face backlash over disputed Namibian oil licence PEL104New Era
TotalEnergies holds 42.5% stake in Petroleum Exploration Licence 104 in Orange Basin
“The contentious deal emanated from Petrobras confirming it has acquired a 42.5% stake in a Namibian offshore block, alongside TotalEnergies, which holds an equal share and will operate the asset.”
Govt unaware of TotalEnergies, Petrobras dealInformanté
TotalEnergies acquired 40% operated interest in PEL83 with Mopane discovery from Galp
“Under the signed agreement with Galp Energia SGPS SA ("Galp"), TotalEnergies is to acquire from Galp a 40% operated interest in PEL83, which includes the Mopane discovery; whilst Galp is to acquire from TotalEnergies a 10% participating interest in PEL56, which includes the Venus discovery, and a 9.39% participating interest in PEL91.”
Mines, Energy expresses concern over unauthorised acquisition of interests by TotalEnergies in oil blocksThe Namibian
TotalEnergies acquired and was announced as operator of 42.5% stake in oil block 2613
“Total Energies also acquired a 42.5% stake and was announced as the operator of the block.”
Ministry flags TotalEnergies, Petrobras oil block dealThe Namibian
TotalEnergies acquired 40% stake in PEL 83 last December
“TotalEnergies acquired its 40% stake in PEL 83 last December, entering an operating partnership with Galp Energia for the block.”
Ministry flags TotalEnergies, Petrobras oil block dealThe Namibian
TotalEnergies acquired 42.5% stake in block and will act as operator
“TotalEnergies also acquired 42.5% and will act as the operator of the block.”
Petrobras acquires stake in Namibia’s oilInformanté
TotalEnergies has preparations underway for final investment decision on Venus project expected in 2026
“Namibia's upstream momentum has been boosted by preparations for a final investment decision on TotalEnergies' Venus project expected in 2026, alongside new discoveries by Rhino Resources and Galp Energia.”
Upstream Petroleum Unit to take centre stage at NIEC 2026 as Namibia pushes towards first oilNew Era
TotalEnergies will take over as operator of Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 83
“TotalEnergies will take over as operator of Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 83, which hosts the Mopane oil discoveries, while Galp will acquire interests in PEL 56 and PEL 91, home to the giant Venus discovery.”
TotalEnergies, Galp strengthen ties with Namibia … Orange Basin discoveries step onto global energy stageThe Namibian Competition Commission has approved a transaction in which TotalEnergies EP Namibia BV and Windhoek PEL 28 BV exchange participating interests in three petroleum exploration licences. The regulator found the transaction resulted in only marginal change in market share and no public interest concerns.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Competition Commission has approved a transaction in which TotalEnergies EP Namibia BV and Windhoek PEL 28 BV exchange participating interests in three petroleum exploration licences. The regulator found the transaction resulted in only marginal change in market share and no public interest concerns.
4 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 →
Mathews Hamutenya has denied having political connections to State House or involvement in the government's decision to appoint Vitol as Namibia's sole fuel supplier, though his son recently bought 52 service stations and Hamutenya is a partner in a storage facility with Vitol. The Independent Patriots for Change have linked Hamutenya to what they describe as a "conglomerate at the centre of Namibia's petroleum oil takeover."
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Fitch Ratings forecasts Namibia's government debt will rise to 66% of GDP in 2026, with interest payments consuming 18% of government revenue, while affirming the country's BB- sovereign rating with a stable outlook despite high fiscal deficits and weak economic growth.
21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's vehicle market slowed in April with total sales falling to 1,320 units from 1,662 units in March, though April sales remained 5.7% higher than April 2025. Analysts at Simonis Storm Securities attributed the decline to a natural unwinding of March's record-breaking performance, which was driven by fleet deliveries and rental sector demand, while noting the year-to-date performance remains strong at 10.6% growth.
19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
A special advisor to the President said policy alone cannot create a competitive local supplier base; Namibia must instead build skills, standards, and capability to meet international oil companies' procurement requirements. President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced Cabinet approval of an upstream local content policy designed to ensure petroleum development delivers socio-economic benefits to citizens.
22 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
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 →
TotalEnergies Vice President Mike Sangster met with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to brief her on advances in the Venus offshore oil discovery, which the company expects will create about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction. The company has submitted development plans to Namibian authorities and targets a final investment decision in mid-2026, though the project faces significant technical challenges including 3,000 metres water depth and location 320 kilometres from the coastline.
17 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 →
Red Soil Energy has appealed to the Supreme Court over the mines ministry's 2021 rejection of its petroleum exploration licence application for four offshore oil blocks. The company claims it was treated unfairly and differently from competing applicants, while the minister argues the application was incomplete and lacked required financial documentation.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
TotalEnergies announced a hydrocarbon discovery on the Moho license offshore the Republic of Congo, with an estimated 160-meter hydrocarbon column in high-quality reservoirs. The Moho G discovery, combined with the previously discovered Moho F structure, represents approximately 100 million barrels of recoverable resources planned for development via tieback to existing facilities.
14 April 2026 · New Era →
Breakwater Offshore Services and Investments, a Namibian-owned company, has secured international standards certifications valid until March 2029, positioning it to support oil and gas exploration in Namibian waters alongside international operators. The company provides marine support services including towing, subsea engineering, offshore supply, and refuelling.
11 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Canadian energy company Sintana Energy announced that the Mopane complex's oil resources have been upgraded to 1.38 billion barrels of oil equivalent, a 57% increase from the previously estimated 875 million barrels, based on Galp Energia's latest assessment.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Motorists queued at service stations across Namibia yesterday to fill up before fuel prices rise by N$2.50 per litre for petrol and N$4 per litre for diesel on 1 April, prompting panic buying, hoarding, and complaints that wholesalers are withholding contracted supplies to profit from higher prices. The government says sufficient stocks exist and has reduced levies by 50%, but restrictions on bulk purchases by retailers like Agra are disrupting farming operations.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian government has begun reviewing a field development plan from TotalEnergies for the Venus oil project, a key step toward formal negotiations and investment approval. The project is projected to generate between N$127 billion and N$229 billion in government revenue over 25 years, potentially accounting for 7.9% to 14.2% of total government income.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's National Oil Storage Facility, a N$6.5 billion investment in Walvis Bay designed to hold 75 million litres of fuel, is undergoing policy reforms to establish market-related tariffs and attract local entrepreneurs to its storage capacity. The facility aims to balance its role as a strategic energy buffer against global supply disruptions with expanded commercial participation and improved operational sustainability.
27 March 2026 · New Era →
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 →
Namibia's 2026/27 budget reflects finance minister Ericah Shafudah's fiscal caution as the country awaits a final investment decision on TotalEnergies' Venus oil project, expected mid-2026. Economist Robin Sherbourne described the budget as a "holding operation" in a constrained economic outlook, though he warned that reduced development spending may limit growth despite the budget's focus on "People, Productivity and Prudence."
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare assured the business community that Namibia will not run out of fuel, as only 20–30 per cent of fuel imports come from the Middle East, with most sourced from Nigeria, India, and Europe. The country maintains a three-month fuel supply, and fuel tankers are expected to have arrived by now, he said.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazilian oil company Petrobras said it holds no current Namibian assets following a courtesy visit to government officials, though it and TotalEnergies are bidders for a 42.5% stake each in a petroleum exploration licence in the Lüderitz Basin, pending regulatory approval.
21 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 →
Angola has launched full production at the Quiluma offshore gas field, marking the country's first development of a non-associated gas field and positioning it as a major LNG supplier to Europe and Asia. Operating at full capacity, the field is expected to produce approximately 330 million cubic feet of gas per day, or around 2 million tonnes of LNG annually.
18 March 2026 · New Era →
As global oil prices surge amid geopolitical instability in the Middle East, Namibia's National Oil Storage Facility provides strategic defence against supply disruptions and fuel price volatility. With 75 million litres capacity and three months of strategic reserves, the facility operated by Namcor centralises fuel imports and distribution while the National Energy Fund cushions consumers from rising global prices.
18 March 2026 · New Era →
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 →
The Institute for Public Policy Research warns that Namibia faces governance risks as it prepares for oil production, citing lack of transparency in petroleum licensing, insufficient beneficial ownership disclosure, and weak local content oversight as key areas needing reform before the expected investment decisions from TotalEnergies and Mopane projects. Addressing these challenges through the Access to Information Act and digital transparency could help Namibia avoid the "resource curse" while ensuring oil revenues benefit communities rather than political elites.
16 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 →
Soaring international oil prices and Middle East tensions threaten to drive Namibian fuel prices to unprecedented heights in April, with the country's three-month fuel reserves and limited storage capacity posing supply challenges. Government officials and industry experts warn that while Namibia has sufficient reserves for 2–3 months, the country's infrastructure constraints and reliance on Middle Eastern oil through the Strait of Hormuz leave it vulnerable to supply disruptions, prompting authorities to explore alternative fuel sources and taxi associations to plan 10–12% fare increases.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →