Drilling is imminent at Namibia's Mopane oil deposit, TotalEnergies chief executive Patrick Pouyanné said, in a country that has emerged as one of the industry's most closely watched exploration frontiers.
The French energy major took control of Mopane in September and will decide in 2028 whether the field should be developed once drilling is complete. Pouyanné said he was "optimistic" that negotiations with the Namibian government over commercial terms, which have delayed a final investment decision, would be concluded.
Namibia has drawn other majors including Shell and BP through a series of large offshore discoveries that promise to turn the country's Atlantic coast into sub-Saharan Africa's hottest oil play.
TotalEnergies already operates the offshore Venus deposit, which is further advanced, with preparation for development underway. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has prioritised value addition to create "decent jobs … and better lives" for Namibians.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Mopane is among the most-watched exploration targets in sub-Saharan Africa, and its development could reshape Namibia's oil industry.
- The 2028 decision will determine whether Namibia becomes a significant oil producer and what share of the value stays in the country.
- The outcome of commercial negotiations between TotalEnergies and Windhoek will set terms that could shape future projects in Namibian waters.
Background
Namibia has emerged as a frontier for offshore oil exploration after a string of discoveries by international majors along its Atlantic coast. Energy companies have been competing for acreage in the region as the industry looks for new basins. TotalEnergies took control of Mopane in September 2026, adding to its existing position in Namibian waters, and drilling is now expected to begin.
Key Perspectives
TotalEnergies: says drilling at Mopane is imminent, and Pouyanné is "optimistic" that commercial terms with the Namibian government will be concluded.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah: has prioritised value addition to create "decent jobs … and better lives" for Namibians.
What to Watch
- The results of the imminent drilling campaign at Mopane.
- Whether negotiations on commercial terms conclude and clear the way for a final investment decision.
- The 2028 decision on whether the field is developed.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDrilling is imminent at Namibia’s Mopane oil deposit, according to TotalEnergies.Semafor: “Drilling imminent at Namibia oil deposit, TotalEnergies says”
- SupportedTotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said drilling is imminent at Mopane.Semafor: “Drilling is imminent at Namibia’s Mopane oil deposit, TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said”
- SupportedNamibia has emerged as one of the industry’s most closely watched exploration frontiers.Semafor: “putting fresh capital into the southern African country that has emerged as one of the industry’s most closely watched exploration frontiers.”
- SupportedPouyanné said he was optimistic negotiations with the Namibian government would conclude.Semafor: “Pouyanné said he was “optimistic” that it would be concluded.”
- SupportedThe company will decide in 2028 whether to develop Mopane after drilling.Semafor: “The French company, which took control of Mopane in September, will decide in 2028 whether it should be developed after the drilling.”
- SupportedTotalEnergies took control of Mopane in September.Semafor: “The French company, which took control of Mopane in September”
- SupportedNegotiations with Namibia over Mopane’s commercial terms have delayed a final investment decision.Semafor: “Negotiations with the Namibian government over commercial terms for Mopane have delayed a final investment decision”
- SupportedNamibia has attracted Shell and BP with a series of large offshore discoveries.Semafor: “Namibia has attracted other energy majors, including Shell and BP, with a series of large offshore discoveries”
- SupportedThe discoveries promise to make Namibia’s Atlantic coast sub-Saharan Africa’s hottest oil play.Semafor: “a series of large offshore discoveries that promise to transform the nation’s Atlantic coast into sub-Saharan Africa’s hottest oil play”
- SupportedTotalEnergies operates the offshore Venus deposit, which is further advanced than Mopane, with preparation for development underway.Semafor: “TotalEnergies already operates Namibia’s offshore Venus oil deposit, which is much further along than Mopane, with preparation for development underway.”
- SupportedPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has prioritised value addition to create “decent jobs … and better lives” for Namibians.Semafor: “President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has prioritized value addition to create “decent jobs … and better lives” for Namibians.”
