While Namibia is moving at lightning speed to become a global oil powerhouse from the Orange Basin, South Africa is stuck in the mud. TotalEnergies' Venus project in Namibia is projected to achieve first oil by 2030, pumping out about 150,000 barrels every single day. Namibia's success stems from a super-fast system that brings in significant investment. However, South Africa's offshore oil dreams in the very same Orange Basin are going nowhere fast due to endless legal fights and mountains of red tape, PR Africa reports.
Namibia's Oil Hustle: Full Steam Ahead!
Namibia is a new hotspot. Major companies like TotalEnergies, Shell, and Galp have discovered massive oil fields in their part of the Orange Basin since 2022, including the Venus and Mopane fields, Channel Africa said. The Namibian government is pushing to expedite oil extraction to benefit its citizens. TotalEnergies submitted its plan for the Venus project in July 2026 and is expected to make a final investment decision on its Namibian projects by mid-2026, Ocean Energy Resources tells us. The Venus project alone is set to create approximately 600 direct jobs during its operational phase, with efforts to employ Namibian workers for onshore support.
More Discoveries, More Money
Namibia's efficient regulatory system has attracted billions of rand for energy projects, accelerating oil discovery, Club of Mozambique reported. QatarEnergy discovered a new oil deposit, the Merlin-1X well, in June 2026, Business Insider Africa confirmed. This marks the tenth well drilled in that area, with Shell, QatarEnergy, and NAMCOR collaborating, Shell Namibia confirmed. TotalEnergies is investing about US$1 billion annually into global oil exploration, with Namibia being a major focus, Ocean Energy Resources stated.
South Africa's Red Tape and Legal Roadblocks for Orange Basin Oil
South Africa's offshore oil exploration in the Orange Basin is facing major delays. This is attributed to complicated regulations and persistent lawsuits from community groups and environmental activists, Reuters reported. Obtaining a permit in South Africa can take up to five years, whereas other African countries complete the process in three to nine months, Club of Mozambique pointed out. Environmental groups and local communities in South Africa have initiated at least four court cases and numerous appeals against offshore projects and planned gas projects since 2021, Reuters said. These legal battles have halted up to 10 wells that were scheduled for drilling by 2030, according to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA).
The People's Voice: Protecting Our Heritage
Communities, including indigenous groups and small-scale fishers, express serious concerns about the potential impact of offshore oil and gas exploration on their ocean, livelihoods, and culture. They are protesting and engaging in legal action, arguing that financial gains do not justify the environmental risk. They believe their constitutional rights to a clean environment and proper consultation are being ignored, PR Africa learned. In August 2025, a South African court cancelled a permit that allowed TotalEnergies and Shell to drill offshore, Mongabay reported. TotalEnergies is currently facing new legal challenges concerning its permit in the deep-water Orange Basin Block, with a court hearing scheduled for March 23 and 24, 2026, Mongabay confirmed. Groups such as the Aukotowa Fishing Cooperative, The Green Connection, and Natural Justice are challenging this, alleging that the approval process was flawed and did not comply with South African laws, GroundUp reported.
Industry Woes and Community Clashes
TotalEnergies' CEO, Patrick Pouyanne, stated that his company cannot explore or invest where it faces endless court cases and difficult permits, Club of Mozambique reported. This highlights the challenges energy companies encounter in the region. Shell also received a permit in July 2025 to drill five wells off South Africa's west coast, near the Northern Cape Ultra Deep Block. However, Shell has previously faced problems due to legal issues regarding public consultation and environmental concerns, Offshore-energy reported.
The Orange Basin, shared by Namibia and South Africa, is massive, covering approximately 825,418 square kilometres offshore Namibia, with water depths reaching 4,000 metres, NAMCOR stated. It exemplifies how African nations attempt to balance resource development, economic benefit, and community engagement, Club of Mozambique explained. While Namibia celebrates potential riches, some remain concerned about equitable wealth distribution, the potential for corruption, and whether oil revenues will genuinely improve the lives of everyday Namibians, particularly given the country's high inequality. In South Africa, the focus remains on environmental and social impact, with communities demanding proper consultation and protection of their rights. This Orange Basin story underscores that resource development involves significant responsibilities.
