Norwegian Energy Partners (Norwep) says Namibia is forecast to be a front runner within oil and gas production in Africa over the next few years, due to its large oil and gas discoveries.
Norwep director of oil and gas for the United Kingdom and Africa Bjørn Kahrs said Norway has special know-how in deep-water operations, as well as low emission technology, to assist Namibia through the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Kahrs was speaking at a stakeholders and networking event at Lüderitz on Friday, hosted by Norwep and the Lüderitz Business Forum.
“It is officially recognised that Namibia has a lack of infrastructure, know-how, human and financial capital and technology that is required to handle the rapid growth. During the last months, Norwep have been called for several meetings by the ministry due to Norway’s capability to build a solid oil and gas industry, as well as a national financial platform during the last decades, and Namibia is aiming for a similar situation,” said Kahrs.
Norwep is a non-commercial foundation jointly funded by the Norwegian government and companies from that country’s oil and gas industry to strengthen Norway’s energy sector through globalisation, as they act as a catalyst between international businesses and governments.
“Norwep offers technology and solutions to the oil and gas, wind power, solar power, energy systems, hydropower and hydrogen sectors, among others. Our aim is to get the town of Lüderitz ready by the year 2027 in terms of infrastructure, key site, on and off shore capabilities for the sectors, and offer expertise in this regard,” said Kahrs.
The country made its third oil discovery in the Orange Basin in early-March 2023, with Shell and QatarEnergy having successfully drilled the Jonker-1X exploration project, leading to increased exploration and appraisal activities in the country.
TotalEnergies is currently engaged in a multiwell appraisal and exploration drilling programme in Block 2913B, situated in PEL 56 in the Orange River Basin following the discovery of light oil in the ultra-deepwater Venus-1 exploration well in March 2022.
Shell also completed drilling the Graff-1 exploration well, situated 270km from the town of Oranjemund, situated in the PEL 39 licence area, in February 2022, yielding an estimated 2 000 to 3 000 barrel per day flow potential.
Energy petroleum commissioner in the mines and energy ministry Maggy Shino said the town of Lüderitz is considered a national strategic asset, especially with the new upstream specialised sector that will be operational in Namibia.
Shino reiterated that the exploration of natural resources must yield benefits for Namibia and thus the country is busy developing the Local Content Policy to enforce beneficiation for Namibians through the law.
“The government has taken a strategic decision to [utilise] Lüderitz as a hub for the industry largely because of the great potential both on and off shore.
The Local Content Policy will be the guiding tool to ensure beneficiation and it is the duty of the government to create enabling tools to prepare for the full optimisation of the entire value chain of the industry,” said Shino.
Speaking on behalf of the Lüderitz Business Forum, Daniel Hooft emphasised the need for initiatives to revive the local economy.
“The Lüderitz Business Forum is an organisation representing approximately 80% of businesses in the town, with a common pursuit of mutual beneficiation and sustained economic growth,” said Hooft.
Hooft also invited Norwep to align and join the forum for the further exchange of ideas and possible joint initiatives.
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