Namibia’s Orange Basin possesses the geological potential to rival Brazil’s prolific Campos Basin in both production volume and revenue generation, according to Marcio Mello, Founder of Namibia Energy Corporation. Speaking at the Namibia International Energy Conference, Mello highlighted striking geological similarities between the two regions that suggest Namibia could emerge as Africa’s next major petroleum powerhouse.
Brazil’s Campos Basin has been a hydrocarbon juggernaut, producing approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent since 1983 and generating over $700 billion in total revenues at current prices. The basin’s top-performing well in the Marlin field alone achieved production exceeding 15,000 barrels daily—a benchmark Mello believes the Orange Basin can match.
Currently, the 27 wells drilled in Namibia’s Orange Basin average 4,000 to 6,000 barrels daily, but Mello expects these figures to climb substantially as development accelerates. The key difference? Maturity—while Brazil’s Campos Basin features over 4,000 wells and extensive infrastructure, Namibia’s Orange Basin remains in its infancy with just 17 completed wells.
Composition analysis shows the Orange Basin contains approximately 35% light oil, 40% condensate, and 30% gas, compared to Campos Basin’s 85% light oil, 10% condensate, and 5% wet gas profile. Despite being more gas-heavy, Mello argues this actually enhances Namibia’s long-term economic prospects: “Namibia has significant volumes of oil embedded within its gas reservoirs, offering a major opportunity for monetization.”
Source: energycapitalpower.com
