The southwest African nation Namibia has come into the spotlight as a new oil and gas exploration hotspot following several major discoveries in recent years along its coast.
Although no oil or gas has been produced there, the discoveries total billions of barrels of oil and are drawing interest from major oil and gas companies, including the likes of Chevron, ENI, Galp, Shell and TotalEnergies. (You can see a rundown of their ventures and discoveries here.)
Portuguese oil company Galp Energia in April wrapped up the first phase of exploration in the Mopane field off the coast of Namibia and said it could have some 10 billion barrels of oil. First production is expected from 2030.
Galp in April launched a sales process for half of its 80% stake in Petroleum Exploration Licence 83 in Namibia, as well as the right to become its operator. Some 12 oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, Shell and Brazil’s state oil company Petrobras, have expressed interest in the stake.
On Friday, Reuters reported that Petrobras had made a non-binding offer for a major stake in the Galp’s discovery which would allow it to become the operator for the Mopane field.
That bid comes as the Brazilian oil company said it is having difficulties getting environmental licenses to operate in new areas of the Brazilian coast.
Namibia, which is known for uranium deposits, has similar geological formations to Brazil.
Galp last week confirmed it was preparing for a second drilling phase for four wells in the Mopane field, which would start in the fourth quarter. The company also said it was in preliminary talks with possible partners.
Namibia has been a boon for the Portuguese firm, which has seen its shares rise some 40% this year.
