NOGC 2023 explored the best strategic roadmap to leverage Namibia's oil and gas investments. (Image source: NOGC)

The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference is all set for a second edition in Windhoek from 20-22 August, following an eventful first edition in 2023 that explored the best strategic roadmap to leverage the region's oil and gas investments, especially from its resource powerhouse – Orange Basin 

This year's theme, Next Steps towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry, will include insights and analyses, specific to Namibia's hydrocarbons sector, also delving into the region's energy revolution in areas such as local content, infrastructure and logistics. National and international stakeholders will be present at the event to speak on Namibia's procurement transparency and the country's role in the global oil and gas markets. Chevon's majority acquisition of the petroleum exploration license 82 (PEL 82) in May shows international interests in the region even beyond Orange Basin. 

“20-22 August 2024 will signify a landmark three days of engagement, empowerment, and energy. The second edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference under the theme, The Next Steps Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry, comes to fruition based on unparalleled demand by industry players (international and local); public, private, academia and civil society stakeholders, as well as the general Namibian public from local entrepreneurs; to professionals across diverse sectors as well as the youth. The message is: Let’s fill the information gap; let’s network; let’s participate,” said Jason Kasuto, chairman, Economic Association of Namibia during the official launch of the second NOGC. This year's edition will be introducing pre-event, dedicated workshop sessions on skills development and capacity building in the oil, gas and energy sectors.

Creating sustainable value chains

Organised by the Economic Association of Namibia, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, NOGC 2024 is backed by the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia and the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy. The Ministry is working on a new, investor-friendly regulatory framework to balance out its 2030 hydrocarbon strategy, with first achieving oil and later getting large-scale green hydrogen projects started. Namibia will also be welcoming the inaugural Global African Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S) in Windhoek from 3-5 September this year to provide a platform for the global players in the hydrogen value chain to promote their projects in Africa.

“With over 70 renowned speakers covering relevant topics, panel discussions, masterclasses and exhibitions, the mission of the Economic Association of Namibia is clear – the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2024 has a strong focus on proposing ideas and strategies that will ensure that investments in the sector will not create an enclave around oil and gas production sites, but that investment will lead to the development of an integrated industrial base with backward and forward linkages to the rest of the economy, thus creating sustainable value chains, jobs and uplifting the living standards of Namibia’s people,” said Kasuto.

Maggy Shino will be gracing WAES 24 with first-hand insights on the Luderitz Basin. (Image source: WAES)

Following the world-class Orange Basin discovery in Namibia that includes Shell’s Graff 1, TotalEnergies’ Venus, and Galp’s PEL 83, prospects at the Luderitz Basin will be presented by Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia, at the West Africa Energy Summit 2024 in Ghana

Slated to be held from 3-5 September in Accra, Shino will be gracing WAES 24 with first-hand insights on the Luderitz Basin. Besides Luderitz, she has also spoken to media about the highly prospective Walvis and Namib Basins, which share many characteristics of the Orange Basin yet remain highly underexplored. This will be an incredible opportunity for operators and explorationists seeking to partner with Namibia.

"We are delighted to welcome Ms Maggy Shino to the summit. Her presentation promises to offer unique insights into the Luderitz Basin, further solidifying Namibia’s position as a key player in the African upstream sector," said Dan Hyland, operations director at OGV Group, which is the event co-organiser with the Petroleum Commission, Ghana. "The West Africa Energy Summit will provide a unique platform for participants to gain comprehensive insights into the open acreage and farm-in opportunities in the transform margin," he added. 

West Africa: An investment hub

Hyland expressed his excitement about the participation of industry leaders and government representatives across West Africa, who will share presentations on multiple licenses across the Transform Margin. "The West Africa Energy Summit presents an unparalleled networking opportunity, providing expert insights and strategic discussions that will further business interests in the region,” he said. 

WAES 2024 has been curated with exciting sessions such as New Ventures Forum, National Showcase, Petroleum Data Workshop, and Skills and Training Workshop. 

With West Africa currently resembling a hotbed of deepwater activities as major discoveries come up from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, to name a few, the summit could not have happened at a better time. It will explore West Africa as an investment hub, with discussions on balancing oil, gas, and renewable energy for responsible resource management and energy independence.

Egbert Faibille Jnr, CEO, Petroleum Commission, Ghana. (Image source: WAES)

Following major offshore discoveries such as Calao, Ivory Coast, and Pecan, Ghana, among others, the region is all set to get its first energy summit this year – West African Energy Summit (WAES) 2024

Organised by OGV Group in partnership with the Ministry of Energy for Ghana, the summit will take place from 3-5 September 2024 in Accra, Ghana. 

With spotlight on Offshore West Africa as a preferred investment hub for global operators, industry stakeholders can expect prospective upstream deals, besides deal-making sessions on project development and capital raising. Facilitating discussions on the balance and integration of oil, gas and renewables, energy players can network, collaborate and advance the energy transformation narrative and economic development in West Africa. 

From fleet renovation campaign by Bourbon Mobility or conversion upgrades by Argeo Venture to subsea construction transport and installation by DOF, the region is currently a hotbed of deepwater activities. In a latest development, Amplus VGE and Carbon Cycle have collaborated to launch innovative solutions for easier acces to the lucrative marginal fields of West AfricaAmplus VGE and Carbon Cycle have collaborated to launch innovative solutions for easier acces to the lucrative marginal fields of West Africa. 

These examples will surely come up in the specially curated sessions of the summit – New Ventures Forum, National Showcase, Petroleum Data Workshop, and Skills and Training Workshop. 

Exchanges on the fundamentality of education in the energy sector to practice responsible resource management and energy independence will be dealt with in discussions led by the Scottish Africa Business Association. SABA will look into region-specific skills training as well. 

Attracting investments, driving sustainability 

Egbert Faibille Jnr, CEO of Petroleum Commission of the Republic of Ghana, said, “The West African Energy Summit for me is a groundbreaking event for the energy sector in the region. Within the framework of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), there have been several understandings and several efforts to ensure a certain convergence towards the exploitation and use of West African energy resources. To that extent, the event couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Dan Hyland, operations director of OGV Group, said, “West Africa's energy sector is poised for significant growth, and the West African Energy Summit provides a key platform for industry stakeholders to explore new opportunities and develop strategic partnerships. We believe in the region's potential to attract investment and drive sustainable development, and we are excited to assist discussions that will shape the future of energy in West Africa.” 

The company presented its comprehensive range of solutions for high-pressure heaters for energy generation plants. (Image source: Steinmüller Africa)

Steinmüller Africa that brings in 60 years of industry expertise, exhibited their extensive range at the recently concluded Enlit Africa held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

The company was the Silver Sponsor Partner of Enlit Africa 2024.

During the event it presented its comprehensive range of solutions for high-pressure (HP) heaters for energy generation plants, including design, drawing, fabrication, commissioning, plant erection, and maintenance. 

Offering maximised uptime, productivity, profitability 

“We consider many factors to uphold the integrity of high-pressure components for maximised plant uptime, productivity, and profitability. This includes numerical analysis techniques, heat treatment, explosive welding services, and more,” said Warwick Ham, group leader of process engineering, Steinmüller Africa.

“This is why interactions with attendees will be beneficial; we are given the opportunity to explain how we strategically meet the requirements of customers and ensure solutions last. Customers can enhance their plant’s performance and longevity, regardless of the original manufacturer. Our solutions are suitable for plants in any lifecycle phase,” added Ham. 

Competitors in the market continue to evolve with the energy and infrastructure industries as the CEO of CRC Evans Frederic Castrec said last year in the occassion of announcing a global merger of welding and coating services.