Niël Terblanché
Namibia is hosting the second edition of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) workshop in Windhoek.
The workshop, with the theme “From Frontier to Discoveries: Namibia’s Journey to Major Oil and Gas Discoveries,” began on Monday.
The event follows the successful inaugural edition of the grouping, which focused on Namibia’s noteworthy progress in the oil and gas sector.
In her keynote address, Maggy Shino, Namibia’s Petroleum Commissioner, outlined the nation’s remarkable journey in oil and gas exploration.
She described the journey as a story of innovation, strategic foresight, and international collaboration, integral to Namibia’s emergence as a promising frontier for energy exploration.
“Namibia, with its vast coastline along the South Atlantic, has historically captivated the world with its natural beauty and ecological diversity. But in recent years, it has also emerged as a promising frontier for oil and gas exploration,” Shino said.
According to Shino, the journey began with early exploratory efforts that recognised Namibia’s geological promise despite technical and logistical challenges.
“The discovery of the Kudu gas field in 1974 marked a significant milestone, attracting global attention and investment,” she said.
This momentum continued with major discoveries in ultra-deep wells in offshore blocks, such as Venus-1, Graff, and Mopane, confirming substantial hydrocarbon reserves.
“These wells confirmed the presence of substantial hydrocarbon reserves, solidifying Namibia’s position as a frontier with substantial potential for future development,” Shino said.
While there has been significant progress, Shino emphasised that challenges still exist, particularly in environmental stewardship, responsible resource management, and community engagement.
She expressed optimism that the workshop would foster knowledge sharing and mentorship, crucial for unlocking Namibia’s full geological potential.
“I do not doubt that your debates and presentations will enrich knowledge and motivate explorers in their quest to unlock Namibia’s full geological potential,” Shino said.
The AAPG workshop is an indication of Namibia’s growing significance in the global energy landscape, driven by successful exploration activities and international collaborations.
The workshop aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Namibia’s onshore and offshore geology and describe the proven and potential petroleum systems.
It includes discussions on proven and possible petroleum systems in Namibia, focusing on the Orange Basin, the sedimentary and tectonic evolution of the region and its impact on productivity, challenges and opportunities in deep-water exploration, as well as current and projected exploration activities in Namibia’s offshore basins.
Industry experts will deliver presentations, with Daniel Rodrigues, a geoscientist at Galp, delivering a technical keynote on the Mopane Complex.
The workshop also serves as a platform for professionals, scholars, and industry enthusiasts to share experiences and network.
The event will provide participants with updates on the latest discoveries and technological advancements, as well as create a collaborative environment for sharing strategies to overcome challenges in the oil and gas sector.
