Venus project faces port hurdle

Namibia will need to urgently expand its port infrastructure if it is to support large-scale offshore oil and gas developments such as TotalEnergies' Venus project, a senior executive at the French energy company has said.

Carlos Menezes, TotalEnergies' joint venture manager, told delegates at the fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) in Windhoek that operations supporting exploration drilling at the Port of Lüderitz had already exposed significant capacity constraints.

“We know we have operated out of Lüderitz with two rigs, there is definitely congestion,” Menezes said.

He said the experience had nevertheless shown that the port could support offshore oil and gas operations, provided its capacity was expanded.

“We know it can be done but depending on the congestion, that can be a concern. Lüderitz today cannot support the development and construction for a project such as Venus or similar,” he said.

The warning comes as Namibia seeks to develop the infrastructure needed to support a potential new offshore oil industry following a series of major discoveries in the Orange Basin.

Venus close to FID 

TotalEnergies' Venus discovery, in Petroleum Exploration Licence 56 offshore southern Namibia, is one of the projects closest to development. The company has said it is technically ready to take a final investment decision, but discussions with the Namibian government on outstanding issues have continued.

The company has previously said Venus could produce at a plateau rate of about 150,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with first oil targeted for 2030 if the project receives the necessary approvals and investment decision.

Menezes said the challenge extended beyond accommodating vessels and drilling rigs.

The development phase would require large volumes of equipment to be imported, stored, assembled and transported offshore.

“In terms of preparation for the installation of subsea equipment, we are talking about large pieces of equipment that need to be prepared, assembled and fabricated and that will be imported and lifted close to a jetty, and from a jetty onto vessels,” he said.

What is required? 

He said Namibia would therefore need larger jetties and additional working space to accommodate fabrication, assembly and other logistics associated with offshore developments.

The issue is already recognised by the Namibia Ports Authority (NamPort), which has been working on plans to expand Lüderitz and develop it as an industrial and energy hub.

NamPort's own documents have previously identified congestion at the existing Robert Harbour facility and the need for additional capacity to accommodate break-bulk cargo, including equipment for oil and gas projects.

The port's existing main berth is 500 metres long and has a depth of 8.75 metres. NamPort says the facility is relatively shallow and that, in the longer term, a new port at Angra Point could provide deeper water and additional land for development.

NamPort’s plans

NamPort has also been pursuing an expansion of the existing port. Its plans include extending the quay wall and adding land through reclamation, with part of the additional berth capacity intended for oil and gas supply-base activities.

Menezes said close cooperation between NamPort and oil companies was helping identify the infrastructure required.

“A lot of work has gone into what is required in the ports, what the specifications involved are so NamPort understands what it is and what needs to be put in place,” he said.

He said having the necessary infrastructure available when construction begins would be critical to Venus.

“Having that ready in time for launching the construction work is going to be critical for execution for Venus.”