BP Enters Namibia's Oil Scene with Major Offshore Acquisition, Targeting First Oil by 2030
April 13, 2026
Fiscal terms are built on progressive royalties, corporate and additional profits taxes, and cost recovery, designed to sustain early investment while ensuring state participation.
Massive export infrastructure is needed, with $5–$10 billion planned for deepwater ports, LNG facilities, pipelines, storage, and support vessels, targeting a 5–7 year window from FID to first production.
This transaction marks BP’s entry as an operator in Namibia and aligns with its shift to upstream oil and gas while reducing renewables exposure.
Market implications include possible regional output of 200,000–500,000 barrels per day and 5–15 Bcf/d of gas by 2035, boosting government revenues and Southern Africa’s energy security.
Namibia aims for first oil by around 2030, with BP joining Shell and TotalEnergies as major operators shaping the region’s emerging exploration hotspot.
Investors face technical, commercial, and regulatory risks from deepwater operations, mixed seas, price swings, and political factors, suggesting a milestone-based, diversified funding approach.
A staged investment and production timeline allows potential output in the late 2020s to early 2030s, depending on the chosen development path.
The deal emphasizes a local-capability model with ongoing NAMCOR participation to foster domestic value creation and long-term production capacity.
BP acquires a 60% operating interest in three Namibian offshore exploration blocks (PEL97, PEL99, PEL100) in the Walvis Basin, positioning itself to lead development near Namibia’s deepwater corridor toward the Orange Basin.
Development costs are projected at $15–$25 per barrel, reflecting deepwater challenges and relative competitiveness versus other regions when infrastructure needs are included.
Industry voices view Namibia’s move as a credible signal that international and Africa-focused players can collaborate to unlock regional value and development.
The deal reflects a broader trend of rebalancing portfolios toward high-impact, long-cycle assets as mature basins decline and frontier regions gain appeal.
Summary based on 5 sources
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Sources

Africa.com • Apr 13, 2026
bp Bets Big on Namibia’s Deepwater Frontier with New Offshore Blocks
Discovery Alert • Apr 13, 2026
BP Offshore Exploration Namibia: Strategic Investment
Discovery Alert • Apr 13, 2026
BP Namibia Exploration Licenses: Offshore Energy Future
The Globe and Mail • Apr 13, 2026
BP to buy interest in three offshore Namibian blocks from Canada’s Eco Atlantic