Norwegian subsea service provider Argeo has successfully concluded a significant offshore project for French multi-energy giant TotalEnergies in Namibia’s Orange Basin. The project, which took longer than initially anticipated, marks a milestone in the exploration and development of Namibia’s burgeoning offshore energy sector. The Argeo Venture, the company’s state-of-the-art vessel, is now demobilizing in Walvis Bay, with the process expected to be completed by March 23, 2025.
The project, part of TotalEnergies’ Venus development in the Orange Basin, was carried out under a $39 million contract announced in April 2024. The Argeo Venture, which underwent a conversion upgrade in Norway before commencing operations, began its work on May 20, 2024. Over the course of nearly 10 months, the vessel collected over 7,000 line kilometers of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) geophysical data and gathered close to 200 geotechnical samples from water depths exceeding 3,000 meters. The data and samples are expected to play a critical role in advancing TotalEnergies’ understanding of the Venus project’s potential.
Argeo attributed the extended timeline to two primary factors: an unexpectedly long stay in the shipyard for upgrades and less favorable weather conditions during the project’s execution. Despite these challenges, the company expressed satisfaction with the quality and volume of data collected, which underscores the capabilities of its advanced Hugin Superior AUV technology. The AUV, deployed from the Argeo Venture, is designed to operate in deep-water environments and deliver high-resolution geophysical data, making it a key asset for offshore exploration projects.
The completion of this project not only highlights Argeo’s technical expertise but also underscores the growing importance of Namibia’s Orange Basin as a hotspot for offshore energy exploration. The basin has attracted significant attention from global energy companies following major oil and gas discoveries in recent years. TotalEnergies’ Venus project is one of the most promising developments in the region, with the potential to transform Namibia into a significant player in the global energy market.
In a strategic move, Argeo and TotalEnergies solidified their partnership at the end of 2024 by entering into a five-year global framework agreement for offshore site investigation services, with an option to extend the agreement for an additional two years. The agreement, which establishes legal terms and conditions (FALTC) for future collaborations, reflects the mutual trust and confidence between the two companies. It also positions Argeo as a key service provider for TotalEnergies’ offshore exploration activities worldwide.
The successful completion of the Venus project is a testament to the collaborative efforts between Argeo and TotalEnergies, as well as the growing synergy between international energy companies and Namibia’s resource-rich offshore sector. For Namibia, the project represents a step forward in harnessing its natural resources to drive economic growth and development. The data collected by Argeo will enable TotalEnergies to make informed decisions about the next phases of the Venus project, potentially paving the way for further investments in the country’s energy infrastructure.
As the Argeo Venture demobilizes in Walvis Bay, the Namibian port city continues to play a pivotal role in supporting offshore exploration activities. The project has also provided local businesses with opportunities to contribute to the supply chain, further integrating Namibia into the global energy economy.
Looking ahead, the partnership between Argeo and TotalEnergies is expected to yield more groundbreaking projects, both in Namibia and beyond. With the Orange Basin’s potential still being unlocked, the completion of this project is a clear indication that Namibia is poised to become a key player in the global energy landscape. For now, the focus remains on analyzing the wealth of data collected, as stakeholders eagerly await the next chapter in Namibia’s energy journey.