French energy company TotalEnergies is preparing to commence drilling operations at Namibia’s Mopane oil discovery, as it advances plans to assess the commercial potential of the offshore deposit.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Pouyanné, disclosed this on Monday, November 2, 2026, signalling further investment in Namibia’s growing oil and gas industry.

TotalEnergies took control of the Mopane discovery in September and plans to use the upcoming drilling programme to determine whether the deposit can be developed commercially. The company is expected to make a final development decision in 2028, following the drilling activities.

Namibia has become an increasingly important destination for oil exploration, attracting major international energy companies, including Shell and BP, following a series of significant offshore discoveries along its Atlantic coast.

Beyond Mopane, TotalEnergies is also advancing its activities at the Venus offshore oil discovery, another major project in Namibia’s deepwater basin. Preparations for its development are already underway, placing it at a more advanced stage than Mopane.

However, discussions between TotalEnergies and the Namibian government over the commercial terms for Mopane have delayed a final investment decision.

Pouyanné expressed optimism that the negotiations would be concluded, paving the way for the project’s development.

Meanwhile, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasised the importance of ensuring that the country’s emerging oil industry delivers wider economic benefits through local value addition, job creation and improved living standards.

The development of Mopane could further strengthen Namibia’s position as an emerging offshore oil exploration destination in Africa.