Namibia’s Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, Maggy Shino, has reaffirmed plans for Namibia to produce first oil by 2030.
Speaking at the Namibia International Energy Conference in Windhoek on April 23, Shino shared that the country has achieved several milestones in the past 12 months and is currently launching new campaigns to transform recent oil discoveries into production-ready projects.
“We are moving from exploration to production through strategic projects with global partners, ensuring recent discoveries are developed sustainably and aligned with our long-term vision,” said Shino.
Shino highlighted the energy major TotalEnergies-led Venus project as a central focus, with a Final Investment Decision anticipated by 2026.
Shino noted ongoing work across other key exploration blocks, including the onshore Damara Fold Belt, where oil and gas company ReconAfrica is preparing to test the Naingopo well.
Independent exploration company Elephant Oil is analyzing seismic data in PEL 1010, while supermajor ExxonMobil is conducting a technical work program to unlock the potential of the Namibe Basin.
“A lot of attention has been on the Orange Basin, but what we’re discovering is that its geological characteristics extend across Namibia’s entire offshore region – including the Lüderitz and Walvis Bay basins,” said Shino. She also pointed to confirmed gas resources in Block 1811 and voiced optimism about Rhino Resources’ drilling campaign in PEL 85.
Galp and Namibia’s state-owned NAMCOR are also drilling additional wells to test the Mopane prospects, while Chevron prepares to launch a well testing campaign in PEL 90 in 2026. ECP