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Namibia is rapidly emerging as one of the world's most promising hydrocarbon frontiers. While recent exploration success in the Orange Basin has been driven primarily by major oil discoveries, these finds also contain significant volumes of associated natural gas, creating new opportunities for gas monetisation, power generation and future industrial development.
Alongside these offshore discoveries, the historic Kudu gas field remains the country's most advanced standalone gas project. Operated by BW Energy, Kudu is progressing through appraisal and development planning, supported by a revised gas-to-power concept designed to accelerate commercialisation while reducing development costs. Recent appraisal drilling has confirmed a working petroleum system and strengthened confidence in the project's long-term potential.
Onshore, exploration continues in the Kavango and Owambo basins, where operators including ReconAfrica are evaluating additional oil and gas potential. Together, these offshore and onshore developments are positioning Namibia to build a domestic gas industry capable of supporting electricity generation, industrial growth and future regional energy supply, complementing the country's rapidly expanding upstream sector.
GDP
Proven Gas Reserves
Population (2023)
Population in 2050
Main Infrastructure Projects
Offshore Orange Basin
2026-01-01
Offshore Block 2913B, Orange Basin
2026-01-01
Offshore PEL 83, Orange Basin
2026-01-01
2026-01-01
Offshore Orange Basin
2026-01-01
Offshore Block 2913B, Orange Basin
2026-01-01
Offshore PEL 83, Orange Basin
Leadership
President of the Republic of Namibia
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy
Managing Director, NAMCOR
Namibia's gas reserves have remained flat since the discovery of Kudu in the 1970s but will grow once recent Orange Basin discoveries are approved for development
Since 2022, Namibia's Orange Basin has emerged as one of the world's most successful offshore exploration provinces. Major discoveries by TotalEnergies, Shell and Galp have confirmed a world-class petroleum system containing significant volumes of oil, condensates and associated natural gas, attracting growing interest from international energy companies.
Attention has now shifted from exploration to appraisal and development. TotalEnergies continues to advance the Venus development towards a final investment decision, while Galp is progressing the Mopane discovery following a successful multi-well appraisal campaign that confirmed high-quality reservoirs containing both light oil and associated gas. These projects are expected to underpin Namibia's first offshore production before the end of the decade.
Associated gas has become a strategic element of Namibia's offshore developments. Rather than being treated as a by-product, operators and the Government are evaluating commercial solutions to monetise these significant gas volumes through domestic gas-to-power projects, industrial applications and potential LNG developments. The Kudu Gas Project, led by BW Energy, is expected to play a complementary role by providing the country's first dedicated natural gas production while supporting the development of a broader domestic gas market.
Exploration activity also continues to expand. Companies including Rhino Resources, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp are pursuing new drilling campaigns across the Orange Basin, reinforcing Namibia's position as one of the world's fastest-growing upstream destinations and laying the foundations for a future integrated oil and gas industry.
Since 2022, Namibia's Orange Basin has emerged as one of the world's most successful offshore exploration provinces. Major discoveries by TotalEnergies, Shell and Galp have confirmed a world-class petroleum system containing significant volumes of oil, condensates and associated natural gas, attracting growing interest from international energy companies.
Attention has now shifted from exploration to appraisal and development. TotalEnergies continues to advance the Venus development towards a final investment decision, while Galp is progressing the Mopane discovery following a successful multi-well appraisal campaign that confirmed high-quality reservoirs containing both light oil and associated gas. These projects are expected to underpin Namibia's first offshore production before the end of the decade.
Associated gas has become a strategic element of Namibia's offshore developments. Rather than being treated as a by-product, operators and the Government are evaluating commercial solutions to monetise these significant gas volumes through domestic gas-to-power projects, industrial applications and potential LNG developments. The Kudu Gas Project, led by BW Energy, is expected to play a complementary role by providing the country's first dedicated natural gas production while supporting the development of a broader domestic gas market.
Exploration activity also continues to expand. Companies including Rhino Resources, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp are pursuing new drilling campaigns across the Orange Basin, reinforcing Namibia's position as one of the world's fastest-growing upstream destinations and laying the foundations for a future integrated oil and gas industry.
The Kudu Gas Project, located approximately 130 km offshore Lüderitz in the Orange Basin, remains Namibia's flagship natural gas development and the country's most advanced standalone gas project. Discovered in 1974, the field contains an estimated 1.3 Tcf of recoverable natural gas and is expected to play a central role in strengthening Namibia's long-term energy security.
Operated by BW Energy, Kudu has entered a new phase of development following a successful appraisal programme and the introduction of a revised, lower-cost development concept. Recent drilling activities have confirmed a working petroleum system and reinforced confidence in the field's commercial potential, paving the way for a final investment decision.
BW Energy is progressing plans to develop the field using a repurposed floating production unit (FPU) that will process gas offshore before transporting it to shore through a dedicated export pipeline. The project is designed to supply natural gas primarily for domestic power generation, significantly reducing Namibia's dependence on imported electricity while creating opportunities for future industrial gas use.
The first phase of development is expected to support approximately 420 MW of gas-fired power generation, with the potential to expand to around 800 MW as domestic demand grows. Beyond improving electricity security, Kudu is expected to provide the foundation for Namibia's future gas economy, complementing the country's rapidly expanding offshore oil developments and creating new opportunities for gas monetisation, industrialisation and regional energy integration.
The port city of Walvis Bay is emerging as the focal point of Namibia's future gas infrastructure strategy, with several private-sector initiatives laying the foundations for a regional gas and energy hub. As offshore oil and gas developments advance, the port is expected to play a critical role in supporting imports, storage, power generation and future gas monetisation.
One of the most advanced projects is the Erongo LPG Terminal, which is under development at the Port of Walvis Bay. With a planned 9,000-tonne storage capacity, the terminal will strengthen LPG supply security for Namibia while serving neighbouring SADC markets through the strategically located Walvis Bay Corridor, which connects Namibia to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries.
Walvis Bay is also central to Namibia's longer-term gas-to-power ambitions. Plans for the Walvis Bay LNG Import Terminal, incorporating a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), remain under development alongside the proposed Nathaniel Maxuilili Power Plant. The integrated project is designed to import LNG, regasify it at the port and transport natural gas via a dedicated pipeline to fuel large-scale power generation, providing a bridge until domestic offshore gas production comes online. Environmental approvals have continued to progress, while the project remains part of Namibia's long-term energy infrastructure strategy.
Together with the Kudu Gas Project and future associated gas developments in the Orange Basin, these investments position Walvis Bay as a strategic gateway for Namibia's emerging gas economy, supporting energy security, industrial growth and regional energy integration.
The port city of Walvis Bay is emerging as the focal point of Namibia's future gas infrastructure strategy, with several private-sector initiatives laying the foundations for a regional gas and energy hub. As offshore oil and gas developments advance, the port is expected to play a critical role in supporting imports, storage, power generation and future gas monetisation.
One of the most advanced projects is the Erongo LPG Terminal, which is under development at the Port of Walvis Bay. With a planned 9,000-tonne storage capacity, the terminal will strengthen LPG supply security for Namibia while serving neighbouring SADC markets through the strategically located Walvis Bay Corridor, which connects Namibia to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries.
Walvis Bay is also central to Namibia's longer-term gas-to-power ambitions. Plans for the Walvis Bay LNG Import Terminal, incorporating a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), remain under development alongside the proposed Nathaniel Maxuilili Power Plant. The integrated project is designed to import LNG, regasify it at the port and transport natural gas via a dedicated pipeline to fuel large-scale power generation, providing a bridge until domestic offshore gas production comes online. Environmental approvals have continued to progress, while the project remains part of Namibia's long-term energy infrastructure strategy.
Together with the Kudu Gas Project and future associated gas developments in the Orange Basin, these investments position Walvis Bay as a strategic gateway for Namibia's emerging gas economy, supporting energy security, industrial growth and regional energy integration.
As Namibia’s oil and gas sector evolves, the years ahead will be marked by critical investment decisions, infrastructure development, and policy frameworks that shape the industry’s long-term trajectory. The success of the Kudu Gas Project and deepwater discoveries in the Orange Basin will depend on innovative gas monetization solutions, while the expansion of gas infrastructure at Walvis Bay could position Namibia as a regional energy hub. With growing investor confidence and a government keen on maximizing domestic energy security, Namibia’s gas sector is poised for a transformative phase one that could redefine its role in Africa’s energy landscape.
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South Africa and Namibia have renewed their commitment to the Kudu Gas-to-Power Project, reaffirming its strategic role in enhancing regional energy security. The offshore project, led by BW Energy and NAMCOR, will develop the 1.3 Tcf Kudu gas field to supply an initial 420 MW gas-fired power plant, with the potential to expand to 800 MW. The project aims to reduce Namibia's reliance on electricity imports, strengthen power trade with South Africa, create local jobs and support industrial development as Namibia advances its position as a regional gas and energy hub.
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