Namibia faces setback as Shell downgrades oil discoveries

Shell’s downgrade of its Namibian deepwater oil discoveries may be a setback, but it doesn’t spell the end of subsurface exploration in the Orange Basin for either Shell or Namibia. 

Wood Mackenzie analysts have used the Lens Subsurface platform to assess the impacted acreage, Shell’s drilling campaign and what this development means for the wider Orange Basin. 

This summary provides insights into: 

• Shell’s exploration campaign – Nine wells drilled across three key plays: Graff Complex, Jonker & Enigma, and Cullinan-1X. 

• Challenges and risks – Namibia’s strong technical success vs. commercial hurdles, subsurface complexities, and deepwater exploration risks. 

• What’s next? – Shell’s potential strategy shift, Namibia’s future as a deepwater oil producer, and why TotalEnergies and Galp are seeing more success. 

Fill in the form to get your complimentary copy.