TotalEnergies becomes operator of Mopane, giant oil discovery in Namibia
By finalizing a transaction concluded in December 2025 with Galp, TotalEnergies becomes operator of the Mopane discovery and, according to its CEO, thus becomes operator of the country's two largest oil discoveries, strengthening its position in the Orange Basin.
An operated stake of 40% in the PEL83 license
TotalEnergies announced on September 3, 2026 the completion of the transaction concluded in December 2025 with Galp. The operation concerns the acquisition of an operated stake of 40% in the PEL83 license, which includes the Mopane discovery. In return, Galp acquired from TotalEnergies a stake of 10% in the PEL56 license, which includes the Venus discovery, as well as a stake of 9.39% in the PEL91 license. The transaction was approved by the Namibian authorities. Following the operation, TotalEnergies holds an operated stake of 40% in the PEL83 license, alongside Galp (40%), Namcor (10%) and Custos (10%). The group thus becomes operator of the Mopane discovery, described as giant in the press release. According to Patrick Pouyanné, Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies, this entry as operator of Mopane marks a milestone in the group's ambition to develop a production hub in Namibia. He clarified that the transaction makes TotalEnergies the operator of the country's two largest oil discoveries and strengthens its position in the Orange Basin.
Distribution of stakes across three licenses
The completion modifies TotalEnergies' ownership structure across three licenses in the Orange Basin. In the PEL56 license, which includes the Venus discovery, the group now holds an operated stake of 35.25%, alongside QatarEnergy (35.25%), Galp (10%), Namcor (10%) and Impact (9.5%). In the PEL91 license, TotalEnergies holds an operated stake of 33.09%, alongside QatarEnergy (33.03%), Namcor (15%), Impact (9.5%) and Galp (9.39%). According to Patrick Pouyanné, the appraisal of Mopane will be launched in the second half of 2026, with a view to project sanction in 2028, following a three-well appraisal campaign. Additional exploration opportunities have also been identified beyond the development of Mopane.
A presence in Namibia since 1964
TotalEnergies has been present in Namibia since 1964 and employs approximately 70 people there. The group is also the country's third largest fuel distributor, with 43 service stations. The Company operates the PEL56, PEL83 and PEL91 licenses and is progressing toward finalizing its entry as operator of the PEL104 license.
