Coexistence of Namibia’s energy sector with the environment

‘The Energy Sector in Namibia’ 2025 report identified 17 main actors in the energy sector. One of the biggest challenges these companies face is minimising disruption to the natural environment as they conduct their activities. The report highlights several oil and gas challenges that must be addressed to ensure the coexistence of Namibia’s energy sector with the environment. It found that fuel wholesalers increasingly rely on trucks to transport fuel due to the declining performance of TransNamib. Some oil wells are located hundreds of kilometres from shore, in water depths of up to 3 000 metres. Importantly, all oil discoveries to date have a high natural gas content, which could delay oil production. This means we may have time to devise ways to ensure the coexistence of the energy sector with the environment in onshore and offshore activities. Onshore coexistenceOn land, using environmentally friendly technologies and applying proven capabilities to develop oil and gas resources in sensitive areas of the country is crucial to ensuring the coexistence of Namibia’s energy sector with tourism and the environment. A starting point should always be public consultations as part of its environmental and social impact assessment, which must cover land, forests (and biodiversity), and human rights. Companies should collaborate with the tourism sector and the environment to share data on observable impacts across the two. The companies must be held accountable to ensure they engage only in practices that are not inimical to the growth of the tourism sector and the sustainability of the environment. For instance, in Uganda, TotalEnergies is using 3D cableless seismic technology for oil exploration. This technology relies on fewer people and machines, limiting negative impacts on vegetation and land. In Nigeria, where oil and gas operations have historically damaged large ecological zones, major oil companies are now applying horizontal drilling. In this method, a well is drilled in one location and extended horizontally underground to reach targeted formations. This approach reduces the number of wells drilled, mechanical platforms erected, and roads constructed, thereby lowering the environmental footprint.Offshore coexistenceAt sea, a comprehensive approach should embrace the integration of innovative engineering, advanced technology, and stringent corporate responsibility. The goal should be to minimise ecological disruption, reduce emissions, and prevent spills throughout operations.For instance, BGP (an oil company) applies zero-contact drilling in the Arabian Gulf. This approach involves three steps: detailed seafloor mapping to identify coral and seagrass; designing drilling paths that avoid these zones; and using real-time monitoring to ensure operations remain on track. Reducing the carbon footprint and managing waste from offshore drilling operations pose major challenges. Sustainability-aligned companies use alternative fuels for offshore rigs. Some use innovative gas disposal methods that avoid open gas flaring. Gas flaring is the burning off excess natural gas — a widespread practice that releases CO2 into the environment. An innovative way to avoid flaring is by embracing the SWING (Seawater Injection of Natural Gas) method, used to inject gas deep into the ocean. Research suggests that at depths of around 1 000 metres, the gas would dissolve, biodegrade, and release CO2 gradually over centuries, and potentially reducing the immediate climate impact by more than 10 times compared to open flaring.Looking forwardThe coming years will be crucial in determining how effectively we can harness our oil and gas resources while addressing environmental issues. Achieving such coexistence requires that the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), with its mission to create value for all its stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain, embed the balance between our country’s energy sector and our environment in all its plans and actions.**Prof Uchendu Eugene Chigbu is a Professor of Land Administration at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Coordinator of the Network of Excellence on Land Governance in Africa (NELGA) in Southern Africa. The views expressed in this article are entirely his own and not those of NUST or NELGA.

Coexistence of Namibia’s energy sector with the environment

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-24

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Coexistence of Namibia’s energy sector with the environment

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-24

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