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AEW 2026 Orange Basin Session Targets South Africa’s Upstream Potential
South Africa’s Orange Basin is moving toward a new phase of exploration, appraisal and development, with major international companies positioning acreage for drilling and investment. In the wake of a series of strategic developments in the region, the “South Africa Upstream: Appraising the Orange Basin from Discovery to Production” session at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 will examine how the basin can translate geological potential into commercial production.
The session comes as TotalEnergies advances its position on Block 3B/4B, while Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas and Navitas Petroleum reshape the partnership structure on Block 1. TotalEnergies has identified the Nayla prospect as a primary drilling target on Block 3B/4B, where it holds a 33% operated interest alongside QatarEnergy, Meren Energy, Ricocure and Azinam.
Block 1 is also attracting renewed investor attention. Eco (Atlantic) holds the 19,900-km2 acreage along the Namibian maritime boundary, while Navitas Petroleum is acquiring a 37.5% working interest and operatorship through its Block 1 CBK framework. Eco (Atlantic) is also progressing a data-room process to secure additional farm-out partners.
The wider opportunity is supported by the Orange Basin’s proven petroleum system and growing discovery track record. The basin contains Aptian-Albian basin-floor fan reservoirs and prolific Cretaceous source rocks, while discoveries on Namibia’s side, including Venus and Mopane, have demonstrated significant deepwater resource potential.
South Africa holds approximately two-thirds of the basin’s geographical area, creating substantial exploration upside across its offshore acreage. The Deep Western Orange Basin is another major opportunity, with TotalEnergies pursuing a campaign of up to seven wells to evaluate prospects approximately 211 km offshore Saldanha Bay.
As such, the AEW 2026 session will focus on the investment and development pathway required to move these opportunities from appraisal into production. Discussions will examine drilling appraisal, infrastructure, project financing, regional cooperation and the partnerships required to establish a competitive South African deepwater industry.
Cross-border development could further strengthen the investment case. TotalEnergies’ involvement in South Africa’s Block 3B/4B and Namibia’s Venus Project creates opportunities to apply regional expertise, infrastructure strategies and deepwater capabilities across the basin as discoveries progress toward development.
“South Africa has an extraordinary opportunity in the Orange Basin,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “The priority now is to bring together investors, operators and government to turn world-class geological potential into production, jobs and long-term energy security.”
The “South Africa Upstream: Appraising the Orange Basin from Discovery to Production” session forms part of AEW 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. It will bring together industry leaders to assess the capital, partnerships and projects needed to unlock South Africa’s next major offshore energy province.
To find out more and register, visit www.aecweek-registration.com/2026.