Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Process for Proposed Exploration Well Drilling in PEL 82 covering Blocks 2112B and 2212A, Walvis Basin, off the Coast of Namibia

Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for PEL 82 Has Been Issued

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), through the Office of the Environmental Commissioner, granted Environmental Clearance Certificate ECC2603685 on 6 August 2026 for Chevron Namibia Exploration Limited II’s (CNEL) proposed offshore exploration well drilling activities in Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 82, covering Blocks 2112B and 2212A in the Walvis Basin, offshore Namibia.

PEL 82 is located approximately 72-300 km off the coast of Namibia and includes the Gemsbok prospect. An initial exploration well is being considered for the 2027 timeframe. The ECC provides for the possibility of an appraisal well and, potentially, additional drilling campaigns of up to three or four wells from late 2027 to 2028, over a three-to-five-year period, for a total of up to 10 exploration or appraisal wells. However, the ECC does not constitute a commitment to undertake these activities. Any appraisal or additional drilling would depend on the results of the initial well, further technical and commercial evaluation, and subsequent investment decisions. The purpose of these activities would be to determine whether commercially viable oil and gas resources are present in the area.

The potential activities trigger several listed activities under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations of 2012 and as such required an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) prior to commencement. CNEL appointed Environmental Resources Management (ERM) as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to manage the ECC application and undertake the Scoping and EIA process for the proposed development and production activities, collectively referred to as the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process. ERM is supported by Namibian consultancy Urban Dynamics Africa (Pty) Ltd, which is responsible for managing stakeholder engagement.

The ESIA process included the preparation of a Scoping Report, ESIA Report, Non-Technical Summary (NTS) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The assessment was undertaken in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 2012, and considered comments received from Interested and Affected Parties ((I&APs) during the stakeholder engagement process.

The Final ESIA Report, NTS and ESMP were submitted to the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME), as the Competent Authority, for review and recommendation to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT).

The ECC authorises CNEL to undertake the listed activities specified in the Final ESIA Report and ESMP submitted for the project, subject to the conditions of approval contained in the ECC and Notification of Decision. The ECC is valid for three years from the date of issue and expires on 6 August 2029, unless withdrawn by the Office of the Environmental Commissioner. Copy of Notification of Decision can be viewed and downloaded below.

Should you have any queries regarding this process, please do not hesitate to contact ERM or Urban Dynamics using the contact details provided below.