Shell to explore South Africa block near Namibia finds

South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, July 9, 2024 – Shell plans an exploration drilling campaign in a South African block that lies across a maritime border from discoveries in Namibia, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

The company is planning to drill up to five wells in the Northern Cape Ultra Deep block.

The news was revealed by environmental consultancy SLR in a draft report and confirmed for Bloomberg by Shell. The company is in the process of seeking government approval for the campaign.

Shell operates the block with a 40.5% stake, working alongside partners QatarEnergy (40.5%), local investment player Umbono (10%) and local oil and gas company OK Energy (9%).

Shell is among the companies to have made discoveries in Namibia’s section of the Orange Basin since 2022. The basin, which lies in both Namibian and South African waters, is now considered a global oil and gas hotspot.

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