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Why Namibia Must Act Now to Guarantee Fiscal Stability for Energy Investors and Avoid Delays (By NJ Ayuk)

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Why Namibia Must Act Now to Guarantee Fiscal Stability for Energy Investors and Avoid Delays (By NJ Ayuk)

Why Namibia Must Act Now to Guarantee Fiscal Stability for Energy Investors and Avoid Delays (By NJ Ayuk)

One of the most practical ways for Namibia to do that is to update its petroleum contracts.

The world is watching Namibia. To be more specific, the energy world is watching. Ever since oil and gas majors Shell (United Kingdom) and TotalEnergies (France) announced massive hydrocarbon discoveries in Namibia’s offshore Orange Basin in 2022, interest in additional exploration in the Southern African country has been intense. And so has curiosity about how quickly Shell, TotalEnergies, and their partners will be able to finalize various field development agreements with Namibia and move on to production. Will their negotiations stall, as we’re seeing all too often in African nations, or will the process move forward smoothly?

Why Namibia Must Act Now to Guarantee Fiscal Stability for Energy Investors and Avoid Delays (By NJ Ayuk)

One of the reasons the 2022 Orange Basin finds were so exciting — in addition to sheer size, with as much as three billion barrels of oil combined — was the fact that Namibian exploration efforts up to then had been fairly disappointing. Only about 15 wells had been drilled before Shell’s discovery at the Graff-1 well and TotalEnergies’ Venus 1-X find, and none of those earlier efforts yielded commercial quantities of oil or gas. That means the Orange Basin discoveries represent Namibia’s first chance to show oil and gas companies what they can expect after announcing discoveries there.

Now is the time for Namibia’s leadership to show it respects the billions of dollars companies spend on oil and gas production. One of the most practical ways for Namibia to do that is to update its petroleum contracts: They need language that protects oil and gas companies’ investments. Namibia’s contracts should include what’s known as a fiscal stability clause, which would clearly state that if Namibia were to make legislative or regulatory changes — such as new tax requirements — the energy companies signing the contract would be protected from negative economic impacts.

Depending on the language of the clause— also known as an “economic rebalancing” or “equalization clause” — contracting companies might be exempt from new tax codes or compensated to make up for legislation that adds to their expenses such as new labor or environmental laws. What matters is, in the end, the companies’ return on investment would not be impacted by changes that occurred after their deal was finalized.

For Namibia, a newcomer to oil and gas deals, adding a fiscal stability clause to petroleum contracts will be key to retaining the energy industry’s intense interest.

This Clause Carries a Lot of Weight

Guaranteeing oil and gas companies’ investments is hardly a new or radical measure. Fiscal stability clauses are common practice and in place in such countries as Guyana, Mozambique, Mexico, and Angola. While I cannot produce a study that proves that these countries have attracted more investment as a result of their clauses, I do know this: When a developing country fails to offer the clauses, they’re giving oil and gas companies reason to limit investments there.

In a recent paper on financial stability clauses, international consulting company Deloitte commented on the clauses’ value.

“Stabilisation clauses enhance certainty and predictability which are key ingredients for the success of long term investment projects,” the report states. “Petroleum exploitation is capital intensive and recouping the investment takes much longer than most sectors. Any subsequent changes in the laws of the host state may significantly alter the economics of the economics of a project.”

For international oil companies (IOCs), investing in a country without a fiscal stability clause is quite a gamble in an already risky industry.

I realize that Namibia has already taken measures to ensure an enabling environment for upstream activity, including making updates to its tax laws, and I applaud those actions. Namibia’s legal framework and oil and gas code, in general, are considered investor-friendly. But guaranteeing companies’ investments is a critical next step.

Time is Precious

Not only does Namibia need to add a fiscal stability clause to its petroleum agreements, it needs to do it now. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the issue of financial risk will come up during contract negotiations with Shell, TotalEnergies, and their partners. And that, in turn, could lead to costly project delays, a topic the African Energy Chamber addresses extensively in its soon-to-be-released “The State of African Energy 2023 1Q Report.”

I encourage Namibian authorities to learn from the delays that have taken place in Mozambique’s offshore Rovuma Basin. Natural gas discoveries totaling as much as 17 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) were announced in the early to mid-2010s, but Mozambique’s negotiations with operators, including Italian energy major Eni and U.S. firm Anadarko, have dragged on for years. As a result, the only project to be completed so far is the Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project, fed by Coral Field. The FLNG saw a final investment decision (FID) in mid-2017, followed by construction getting underway in 2018 and the project shipping its first cargo in November 2022. This is a positive step, but imagine the economic and energy security benefits Mozambique’s natural gas could have yielded without such extensive delays.

Then there’s the example of the massive oil discoveries made by Tullow Oil in Uganda and Ghana, announced about three months apart from one another in 2006 and 2007. Tullow Oil began producing oil from its Jubilee Field discovery in Ghana in 2010. Contrast that with Tullow’s Lake Albert Rift Basin discovery in Uganda. After more than a decade of disputes with the government and no progress, Tullow sold all of its Ugandan assets to Total (now TotalEnergies) in 2020.

In 2021, TotalEnergies concluded final agreements to launch Lake Albert resources development, including the Tilenga and Kingfisher upstream oil projects and the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania. TotalEnergies continues to move these projects forward in collaboration with China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Uganda National Oil Company. Unfortunately, climate concerns and net-zero emissions aspirations have made driving oil and gas projects forward considerably more challenging than it was in 2006. TotalEnergies is under heavy pressure from environmental activities to abandon its plans for oil production and the pipeline.  Its has been 15 years of value and revenue lost for Uganda. Critical issues like this will come up at the African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa from October 16th to 20th and investors and governments have to find solutions working hand in hand with each other.

So Much to Gain

Not only will a fiscal stability clause in Namibian petroleum agreements help prevent delays with TotalEnergies (as well as with Shell, which announced another large Orange Basin discovery in 2023), acting decisively to protect companies’ investments will also position Namibia for more exploration.

The Orange Basin is one of several Namibian (and South African) locations of interest to IOCs.

Eco Atlantic’s deep water Walvis Basin blocks (among others) and in particular Osprey prospect drilling target in Block 2012A of the Walvis Basin, for example, was described as one of Africa’s most promising high-impact wells last December.

Meanwhile, Global Petroleum, Namcor, and Aloe Investments are expected to begin exploration in Block 2011A of the Walvis Basin this year. Tower Resources, Maurel and Prom, Exxon Mobil, Oranto Petroleum, Woodside Energy, Chevron, Galp, Recon Africa are currently carrying out a lot of Exploration work in various acreages in the country and moving towards possible drilling soon.

Namibia’s offshore Luderitz Basin and Namib Basin, along with the onshore Owambo and Karoo basins, offer great potential as well. But, again, interest could dry up quickly if companies begin to perceive Namibia as a risky country for investments.

BW Kudu, a wholly owned subsidiary of BW Energy and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), is bullish about Kudu Gas today more than before and is working tirelessly to get first gas in 2026. I love this project because domestic gas production could deal with Namibia’s energy poverty and energy security issues. Namibia currently imports about 60% of its domestic electricity needs.

Calls for Change

The African Energy Chamber is not the first to urge Namibia to take steps to guarantee oil and gas companies’ investments. This topic came up in 2020, before the large Orange Basin discoveries.

Uaapi Utjavari, then chairperson of the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association (NAMPOA), wrote to Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo to describe the role that fiscal guarantee clauses could play in supporting ongoing investment in Namibian’s fledgling oil and gas sector. NAMPOA recommended a legal/fiscal/commercial framework that balanced the needs of the country and investors.

“There is a fundamental need for a stable and sustainable business environment so the country and the investors are able to plan ahead and rely on terms agreed upon,” Utjavari wrote. “An economic rebalancing provision provides appropriate security around economic terms, which are critical for large-scale multi-billion dollars project investment/bankability, while not infringing the host country’s sovereignty and are a common feature in many petroleum contracts globally.”

The recommendations NAMPOA made in 2020 still make sense for Namibia today.

The African Energy Chamber would like to see Namibia reap all of the benefits its natural resources can offer, from increased energy security to industrialization and economic growth. Namibia can do that — if it shows a watching energy industry that the country is committed to helping companies realize a reasonable return on their investments. Adding a fiscal stability clause to its contracts is the right move. I encourage Namibia to act now.

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Kontinental Energy Services (KES), Gulfstream Services to Showcase Innovative Petroleum Equipment

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Kontinental Energy Services (KES), Gulfstream Services to Showcase Innovative Petroleum Equipment

Kontinental Energy Services will participate as a Bronze Exhibitor at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 this November in Cape Town

International oil and gas service company Kontinental Energy Services (KES) and U.S.-based upstream company Gulfstream Services will participate as Bronze Exhibitors at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference in Cape Town this November. Operating in key African oil and gas markets, KES and Gulfstream Services will leverage the AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 platform to showcase their specialized expertise, advice and solutions to international businesses and industry leaders.

Kontinental Energy Services (KES), Gulfstream Services to Showcase Innovative Petroleum Equipment

Serving as the premier energy event for the African continent, AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 – taking place in Cape Town from November 4-8 – recognizes the value of tailor-made branding experiences. As such, the conference will feature an exhibition that provides attendees with exposure to a wide range of African energy projects, technical innovations and market opportunities.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Last November, KES partnered with Gulfstream Services to support the development of oil and gas projects across Africa. Under the partnership, the two companies agreed to establish workstation hubs across the continent and facilitate the maintenance and provision of equipment and technical training across the upstream sector. Poised to support a number of projects across the continent, the partnership will focus on supporting oilfield operations in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia and Nigeria. In line with providing cost-effective services in the countries where they operate, KES and Gulfstream Services will also support economic growth, job creation and local content development across the continent.

As a world-class supplier of high-pressure equipment; offshore drilling completion and intervention applications; pumping operations support; and hydraulic support systems KES is set to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to this year’s exhibition. Meanwhile, Gulfstream Services offers a wide range of engineering equipment and technical solutions across the entire life cycle of well drilling. The company has experience in every aspect of production, from well-drilling to completions, production, well intervention and decommissioning, providing customers with quality products such as high-pressure piping, wireline control equipment and spill mitigation systems.

At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, KES will showcase its specialized expertise and innovative solutions in a dedicated environment that highlights the latest developments in African energy, positioning the company as a leader in the oil and gas services industry. KES and Gulfstream Services join a wide range of exhibition structures, showcasing the companies’ services, talent and competitive edge to over 5,000 delegates.

“The involvement of Kontinental Energy Services and Gulfstream Services at AEW: Invest in African Energy underscores the importance of engaging industry leaders dedicated to transforming Africa’s energy landscape. Their expertise and focus on local content development will significantly enhance our mandate to make energy poverty history and empower Africans to write their own stories in energy development. We look forward to fostering meaningful connections that drive progress across the continent,” states African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Commemorates 1st Anniversary of Feed Salone, Encourages Citizens to Grow What They Eat

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Encouraging all Sierra Leoneans to engage in agriculture regardless of their background, President Bio showcased his own endeavors, highlighting the cultivation of over 1,400 acres of rice
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, October 18, 2024/ — His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, development partners, and farmers from across the nation to mark the first anniversary of the Feed Salone Initiative during the World Food Day celebrations, themed “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future.” The President urged Sierra Leoneans to take initiative by growing their own food, even in their backyards.

He emphasized that while large-scale farming plays a critical role in realizing the Feed Salone objectives, if every citizen takes part in cultivating their food, his vision of food self-sufficiency for the nation will soon be a reality. He asserted that no nation can thrive without its people engaging in an agricultural revolution and called on all Sierra Leoneans to fully support the Feed Salone program for the greater good of the country.

President Bio reflected on how his flagship program during his first term focused on education, leading to an increase in school attendance among girls. He took the opportunity to express gratitude to the First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, for her timely advocacy for the protection of girls in the country.

Encouraging all Sierra Leoneans to engage in agriculture regardless of their background, President Bio showcased his own endeavors, highlighting the cultivation of over 1,400 acres of rice and an additional 500 acres of oil palm on his farm. He clarified that Feed Salone is about the welfare of Sierra Leoneans not about him as President or the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), urging citizens to actively pursue farming.

Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, expressed his gratitude to farmers for exhibiting their produce and demonstrating their efforts since the launch of the Feed Salone Initiative by President Bio. He urged farmers to remain patient with the government as it works to improve the sector, assuring them that with their support and government commitment, the goals of Feed Salone are within reach.

Mr. Saeed Abubakar Bancie, the Food and Agricultural Organisation representative in Sierra Leone, thanked President Bio for his dedication to agriculture through the Feed Salone initiative, noting the global increase in hunger and the pressing need for food diversification. He assured continued support from FAO for Feed Salone, including assistance for farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture in providing livestock, implementing innovative best practices, and empowering local communities.

Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, expressed appreciation to farmers nationwide for their steadfast support of President Bio’s Feed Salone initiative. He highlighted that October 16th is not just an ordinary World Food Day celebration, but the very day President Bio launched Feed Salone, urging farmers to leverage their resources to turn agriculture into the nation’s breadbasket.

Dr. Kpaka confirmed that farmers have embraced the President’s call for widespread agricultural engagement across the country, citing several leading women farmers, including those in the diaspora. He assured farmers and private sector stakeholders that their contributions matter, particularly in rice, onion, seed production, poultry, and egg production, which have conserved valuable foreign reserves.

The Minister promised that Feed Salone will continue until Sierra Leone can produce rice that is less expensive than imported varieties, improve connections for farmers to access markets through better road infrastructure, provide financial support to farmers, and create additional jobs in the sector. He encouraged everyone to engage in farming at any scale, reiterating the imperative that together, we can grow what we eat and urging others to take an active role in the Feed Salone initiative.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

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Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC) at the centre of regional transmission expansion: Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit 2024

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Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC) at the centre of regional transmission expansion

Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC) at the centre of regional transmission expansion: Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit 2024

Confirmed as one of the most stable and important investment destinations on the continent, Tanzania prepares to host the fifth annual Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit (TECS) from 31 January to 1 February 2024 in Arusha, home of the East African Community (EAC).

Investors from across industry, finance and government are convening to showcase Tanzania’s potential. Potential that is epitomised by a country now ranked third in sub-Saharan Africa for future investment, that is expected to see 6% GDP growth by 2025, and that has seen hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars of investment, targeted towards infrastructure, hydropower, LNG and solar projects in recent years.

Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC) at the centre of regional transmission expansion

Ranked by KPMG behind only South Africa and Nigeria, Tanzania has confirmed its status when it comes to trade and investment.

The nation was cited for its strategic location to the east of the continent, its abundance of natural resources, and its recent investment spike, especially in the power sector. A first on-grid 50MW solar power plant, a $300 million investment into hydropower, a $42 billion LNG project formed by Shell, Equinor and Exxon Mobil, and almost $7 billion injected into infrastructure, confirms its attractiveness both in Africa, and globally.

Organised by EnergyNet, TECS24 will not only highlight these success stories but look at future trade and generation projects poised to transform the country and region further. Challenges around financing and guarantees will also be brought to the fore, to ensure that momentum isn’t lost and that the country’s power sector continues to go from strength to strength.

Alongside major investors, stakeholders attending include national ministers from Tanzania, Malawi and Ethiopia, as well as heads of national utilities, including Tanzania’s Managing Director of TANESCO, Gissima Nyamo-Hanga. Speakers from Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and Zambia’s ZESCO will also be present. They, alongside representatives from the public and private sectors, DFIs – including AfDB, BII, World Bank Group and ATIDI – and multilaterals, will descend on Arusha for an intimate, high-level business retreat like no other.

With an emphasis on Tanzania’s’ position as a regional energy enabler, topics being brought to the table include Tanzania’s economic outlook and energy development potential, as well as plotting the best way to build a regional power market. Public-private partnerships in transmission projects will also be on the agenda, in addition to DFIs, governance and regulations, and the vital role of renewables. Attendees will be invited to offer ideas around building better regional interconnection, more robust frameworks for trade and investment, and ultimately to form a roadmap for regional energy access moving forward.

“Tanzania’s positioning on the continent has made it pivotal to trade. With connections between south and east and also to the rest of the world, the country has always had the potential to be a trailblazer for industrial growth – and now we’re seeing how this potential will be realised. It’s therefore hugely exciting to showcase Tanzania’s growth and to make sure the opportunity and momentum continues.” said Simon Gosling, Managing Director, EnergyNet.

He continued, “We’re also delighted to be hosting the summit in Arusha, giving everyone the time and space to deep-dive into the sector’s most pressing topics.”

“With Tanzania being one of our founding member countries, we are keen to do more in support of the country’s energy sector goals. Building on the progress made at last year’s event in Dar es Salaam, we hope that TECS24 will provide greater clarity on the proposed role of the private sector in the energy sector and how DFIs – particularly multilateral insurers and guarantors like ATIDI – can be supportive of such efforts and the wider energy transition,” commented Obbie Banda, Underwriter & Acting RLSF Coordinator at the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI).

Aleem Tharani, Co-Head for Infrastructure Sector Group (Africa), Bowmans and Head of Projects, Energy & Infrastructure (Africa), concluded: “The 5th Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s energy sector. By uniting investors, government entities and industry specialists, we’re fostering dialogues crucial for advancing Tanzania’s energy roadmap, prioritising gas and renewables, and enhancing regional transmission. Bowmans is proud to sponsor this summit, recognising its significance in shaping Africa’s energy future and strengthening public-private partnerships.”

 

FACILITATING ENERGY INVESTMENT IN FAST-GROWING ECONOMIES – EnergyNet has produced investment forums and executive dialogues for Africa and Latin America’s power sectors for the last 25 years – in Europe, the USA, Asia and across Africa and Latin America.

We work with governments and national utilities to facilitate investment summits where credible international investors can build relationships with public sector stakeholders to advance access to power.

Best known for the Africa Energy Forum, the longest-serving business development meeting place for senior-level decision makers in Africa’s power sector, other leading investment summits we provide strategic perspectives on the investment landscape and project preparation include the Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit, H2 Africa, Offshore Technology Africa, Powering Africa Summit, Latin American Energy Forum and Latin American & Caribbean Gas Conference and Exhibition. YES! Youth Energy Summit and YES! Youth Energy Day are part of the portfolio, with a focus on creating a platform and network to boost the skills, connections and business readiness of a new generation of African energy leaders

Having this focus on public and private sector partnerships provides us with a valuable lens through which we can offer independent perspectives and support the business development activities of companies from around the world operating in these fast-growing markets. Our team talks daily with stakeholders across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to support these insights, so relationships and investor insights are our business and our passion.

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