25 Aug 2025

SBM Offshore Expands African FPSO Strategy Ahead of AEW 2025

SBM Offshore Expands African FPSO Strategy Ahead of AEW 2025

With over two decades of operational experience in Africa, deepwater infrastructure company SBM Offshore will participate as a Silver Partner at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference, taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. As a major player in floating production solutions, SBM Offshore enters AEW: Invest in African Energies with a sharpened focus on Namibia’s fast-emerging deepwater sector and an expanded footprint across Africa’s offshore landscape.

SBM Offshore recently confirmed its strong interest in Namibia’s ultra-deepwater Orange Basin, responding to energy major TotalEnergies’ FPSO tender for the 2-billion-barrel Venus discovery. Located in 3,000m of water, the Venus discovery is one of Africa’s most significant oil discoveries, with first production targeted for later this decade. SBM Offshore is actively building its presence in-country, aiming to replicate its Guyana success and offer advanced FPSO technology tailored to Namibia’s deepwater frontier.

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.aecweek.com for more information about this exciting event.

As part of SBM Offshore’s strategic alignment with Namibia’s energy goals, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the country’s national petroleum training fund PETROFUND in mid-2024. The agreement aims to build local capacity by integrating Namibian graduates into SBM Offshore’s engineering and procurement operations, both domestically and internationally. The initiative underscores SBM Offshore’s broader commitment to human capital development and knowledge transfer in host countries.

SBM Offshore maintains a strong presence in West Africa, with a longstanding operational track record in Angola, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. In June 2024, the company completed a key restructuring of its Angolan assets, acquiring full ownership of the FPSOs Saxi Batuque and Mondo, and increasing its interest in the FPSO N’Goma to 80%. These moves serve as part of a broader portfolio optimization strategy that focuses on core lease-and-operate activities while divesting non-core infrastructure.

Across the African continent, SBM Offshore is deploying next-generation FPSO designs that prioritize operational efficiency and lower carbon emissions. With a globally recognized fleet and deep bench of technical expertise, the company continues to deliver production systems that support both upstream development and broader energy transition objectives.

As African nations look to unlock offshore hydrocarbon resources and drive industrial growth, SBM Offshore is well-positioned to support these ambitions through its project execution capabilities, proven operating model and strong commitment to local content development. SBM Offshore’s participation as a Silver Partner at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 highlights the company’s intent to play a central role in shaping the next chapter of exploration and production across the continent.

“SBM Offshore’s long-standing presence and operational excellence in Africa make it a key player in advancing the continent’s offshore energy ambitions. Their depending involvement in Namibia and continued investment in local talent reflect the kind of strategic, long-term commitment we aim to showcase at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

 

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