TotalEnergies to lead Mopane
French energy giant TotalEnergies has formally taken over as operator of Namibia's Mopane oil discovery, completing a strategic restructuring of its partnership with Portuguese energy company Galp announced in December 2025.
TotalEnergies has acquired a 40% operating interest in petroleum exploration licence 83 (PEL 83), which contains the Mopane discovery.
Galp retains a 40% interest, while the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) and Custos each hold 10%.
The completion of the transaction makes TotalEnergies operator of both Mopane and the Venus discovery, two of Namibia's largest offshore oil discoveries.
The company said the transaction had received approval from the Namibian authorities, allowing it to formally assume operatorship of PEL 83.
Patrick Pouyanné, TotalEnergies chairman and chief executive, thanked the Namibian authorities for their "swift approval" of the transaction.
"TotalEnergies' entry as operator of the giant Mopane discovery marks a key milestone in our journey to establish a major production hub in Namibia," he said.
Deal reshapes ownership of key Orange Basin licences
The transaction also changes the ownership structure of TotalEnergies' other offshore interests in Namibia.
Galp has acquired a 10% participating interest in PEL 56, which contains the Venus discovery, as well as a 9.39% participating interest in PEL 91.
TotalEnergies now holds a 35.25% operating interest in PEL 56 alongside QatarEnergy, which also holds 35.25%. Galp and Namcor each hold 10%, while Impact Oil & Gas holds 9.5%.
In PEL 91, TotalEnergies holds a 33.09% operating interest, alongside QatarEnergy with 33.03%, Namcor with 15%, Impact with 9.5% and Galp with 9.39%.
The restructuring strengthens TotalEnergies' position in Namibia's Orange Basin, where a series of major oil discoveries has attracted some of the world's largest energy companies.
Mopane appraisal campaign planned
TotalEnergies plans to begin a three-well appraisal campaign at Mopane in the second half of 2026.
The company intends to use the results of the campaign to support a final investment decision (FID) targeted for 2028.
Mopane was discovered by Galp in 2024 in the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia. Subsequent drilling and appraisal work confirmed the presence of light oil and expanded understanding of the discovery.
Galp previously estimated that the wider Mopane complex contained at least 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent in place.
The estimate refers to the volume of hydrocarbons believed to be contained in the reservoir and should not be interpreted as 10 billion barrels of commercially recoverable reserves.
Pouyanné said exploration opportunities beyond Mopane were also being identified, with further appraisal and exploration expected to shape the company's longer-term activities in Namibia.
TotalEnergies expands role in Namibia's oil sector
The latest transaction comes as TotalEnergies deepens its involvement in Namibia's emerging oil industry.
Earlier this year, Pouyanné met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the company advanced discussions around its activities and investment plans in the country.
TotalEnergies is already an operator of PEL 56, which contains the Venus discovery. The company has said Venus is technically ready for a final investment decision, with development planning continuing.
