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TotalEnergies’ PEL 83 Deal Accelerates Namibia’s Offshore Development, Setting Stage for Regional Energy Hub
TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Galp to acquire a 40% operated interest in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 83 in Namibia – home to the prolific Mopane discovery. The transaction places the energy major at the forefront of two of the country’s largest offshore developments: Mopane and Venus (PEL 56). More than a corporate realignment, this consolidation of operatorship marks a turning point in Namibia’s timeline to first oil and strengthens the prospects for a multi-field, deepwater hub with regional implications.
Under the agreement, Galp will assume a 10% participating interest in PEL 56 and a 9.39% stake in PEL 91. At PEL 83, TotalEnergies will carry 50% of Galp’s capital expenditures for the exploration and appraisal of Mopane. The partners plan to launch an exploration and appraisal campaign in 2026, drilling three wells over two years to de-risk the Mopane structure, refine volumetrics and prepare the project for a potential final investment decision (FID). Progress continues in parallel at Venus, where TotalEnergies is working to establish permitting and commercial conditions that support an FID in 2026. With both projects advancing, Namibia remains on track to become an oil producer by 2030.
This momentum is reshaping Namibia’s offshore narrative. In just three years, the country has evolved from having limited exploration exposure to hosting two of the world’s most closely watched deepwater discoveries. Consolidated operatorship under TotalEnergies enables operational synergies, streamlined decision-making and the potential for shared infrastructure across Mopane, Venus and adjacent blocks. Collectively, these factors significantly strengthen Namibia’s pathway to accelerated development.
“Namibia is quickly becoming one of the most transformative energy frontiers in the world, and this agreement sends a strong signal about the country’s readiness to move from discovery to development. Consolidated operatorship, strong partnerships and clear commitment to investment are exactly what will unlock first oil and bring long-term prosperity to Namibia and southern Africa,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
TotalEnergies’ acquisition follows a series of recent exploration milestones in Namibia. In early December, ReconAfrica announced a successful hydrocarbon encounter at the onshore Kavango West 1X well on PEL 73. Drilled to 4,200 meters, the well confirmed a substantial zone of oil- and gas-bearing rocks. ReconAfrica plans to production-test the well in Q1 2026 to assess deliverability and commerciality. Meanwhile, Rhino Resources is advancing exploration and appraisal work at the Sagittarius-1X, Capricornus-1X and Voltans-1X wells in the Orange Basin following 2025 discoveries, and Sintana Energy is seeking a farm-in partner to fund drilling at PEL 97.
As Namibia moves toward critical FID milestones in 2026, global attention is focused not only on the scale of its discoveries but also on the speed at which the country is preparing for commercialization. This rapid progress will be a central theme at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16 – where Namibian leadership will engage investors, policymakers and technology partners to deepen collaboration and accelerate development timelines. AEW continues to serve as the continent’s leading platform for forging partnerships and mobilizing capital for high-impact oil and gas projects.