Shell’s return to Namibia’s offshore exploration arena is now confirmed after Northern Ocean Ltd. (NOL) secured a contract worth US$16 million (about N$300 million) for the Deepsea Mira drilling rig, scheduled to begin operations in April 2026.
The agreement covers one firm well, with an option for a second, and lifts NOL’s total contracted backlog to USD 387 million (approximately N$7.3 billion).
Confirmation of the campaign came from both companies. Shell Namibia Country Chair Eduardo Rodriguez Tamayo announced on LinkedIn that Shell, together with partners QatarEnergy and NAMCOR, is preparing to launch a new drilling programme in Petroleum Exploration Licence 39 (PEL 39).
“Drilling is set to commence in April 2026, marking an important milestone in our commitment to responsibly explore Namibia’s offshore potential and support the country’s energy ambitions,” he said.
He added that Shell remains focused on operational excellence, safety, environmental performance and expanding opportunities for Namibian suppliers.
He encouraged local businesses to liaise with NOL regarding subcontracting linked to the rig’s operations.
Northern Ocean Ltd., which owns the Deepsea Mira, confirmed the contract details, saying the initial well is expected to take about 45 days to complete.
“We are excited to support their continued exploration efforts with safe, efficient operations,” the company said, highlighting Mira’s strong deepwater track record.
Shell’s upcoming well builds on an exploration journey that has transformed Namibia’s offshore profile over the past decade.
The company first entered Namibian waters in 2014. Still, it was only in late 2021 that momentum shifted dramatically with the Graff discovery, followed soon after by La Rona and the larger Jonker find in early 2023.
These discoveries confirmed the presence of a working hydrocarbon system in the Orange Basin.
They positioned Shell among the leading explorers in one of the world’s most promising new deepwater frontiers.
However, Shell’s Namibian push has not been without setbacks. In 2024, the company announced a US$400 million (roughly N$7.5 billion) write-down on its Namibian exploration portfolio, reflecting the high cost of frontier drilling, the complexity of early wells and uncertainty regarding commercial flow potential.
Despite the accounting impact, Shell maintained confidence in the basin’s long-term prospectivity, arguing that additional drilling and appraisal work would be needed to understand the reservoirs fully.
The new Deepsea Mira campaign underscores that stance and signals that Shell still sees significant upside in PEL 39.
Shell’s return comes at a strategically important moment for Namibia. The Orange Basin—home to the Graff, Jonker and Lesedi finds—has rapidly become a magnet for global exploration investment, with TotalEnergies, Galp, Chevron and Woodside all deepening their commitments.
Shell’s decision to secure another rig reinforces expectations that the basin contains significant, complex accumulations that require further drilling to unlock.
The deployment of the Deepsea Mira will allow Shell to continue derisking its acreage, refine geological models, and advance development scenarios.
The renewed programme signals strong confidence from one of the world’s most influential energy companies at a time when the country is gearing up for expanded local content frameworks, early infrastructure planning and possible pre-FID workstreams.
With drilling scheduled to begin in April 2026, Shell’s next well in Namibia is set to play a defining role in shaping the next phase of the country’s offshore future.
