Namibian Oil is making waves in the energy industry, with Galp Energia’s recent discovery in the Mopane field off the coast of Namibia. The Portuguese oil company’s exploration efforts have uncovered significant light oil columns in high-quality reservoir sands, indicating the potential for at least 10 billion barrels of oil. This discovery could not only boost Namibia’s economy but also have far-reaching implications for the oil industry in East Africa.

Galp Energia conducted testing operations at the Mopane-1X well in January and the Mopane-2X well in March. In both wells, significant light oil columns were discovered, with flows reaching the maximum allowed limit of 14 thousand barrels per day. These findings position the Mopane field as a potentially important commercial discovery.

The Mopane field is located in the Orange Basin, where other major oil companies such as Shell and TotalEnergies have made significant discoveries. Galp holds an 80% stake in Petroleum Exploration Licence 83 (PEL 83), covering an area of almost 10,000 square kilometers in the Orange Basin.

Namibia’s emergence as a potential oil hotspot has broader implications, including the country’s possible membership in the OPEC+ oil producers group. With Angola’s recent departure from OPEC, Namibia’s oil reserves could help fill the gap, potentially making it one of Africa’s top oil producers by 2035.

Namibia’s Prime Minister, Saara Kuungongelwa-Amadhila, highlighted the country’s potential, stating that Namibia’s oil reserves could place it among the top 15 oil-producing countries globally by 2035. This potential has not gone unnoticed by OPEC, which sees Namibia as an attractive candidate for future membership.

Galp’s discoveries in the Mopane field represent a significant milestone for Namibia’s oil industry and could have far-reaching implications for the region’s economy. As exploration continues and additional wells are drilled, Namibia’s position as a key player in Africa’s oil landscape looks increasingly promising.