AziNam becomes operator of exploration licence offshore Namibia

AziNam Ltd., the offshore Namibia focused exploration company, has received government approval for it to assume operatorship of Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 34, offshore Namibia.

Azinam also informed that it has opened its office in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.

Government approval of operator status

In recent months AziNam has increased its working interest position in the majority of its offshore Namibia licences. During the course of 2014 AziNam increased its working interest in PEL 34 from 20% to 40%. The Government of Namibia, along with AziNam’s partners, has now approved AziNam to become operator of PEL 34.

The company’s current working interest positions in PELs 30, 33 and 34, offshore Namibia, stand as follows:

PEL 30 Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas 32.5% (operator)

AziNam 32.5%;
Tullow Oil 25%;
Namcor 10%.

PEL 33 Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas 60% (operator)

AziNam 30%;
Namcor 10%.

PEL 34 Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas 50%

AziNam 40% (operator);
Namcor 10%.

New office

In addition, AziNam has opened its new office in the centre of Windhoek’s business district. The office is already staffed and led by Uaapi Utjavari, formerly Executive E&P Manager at NAMCOR, the Namibian State Oil Company. The Windhoek based team will be the hub of AziNam’s commercial, technical and operational functions in-country. According to AziNam, it will play an integral role in developing its exploration portfolio in the wider region.

AziNam Managing Director, David Sturt, commented:

“Becoming an operator offshore Namibia is an important milestone in the development of our business in the region, reflecting the quality of work already being carried out on our assets and highlighting AziNam’s financial strength and technical competence. Receiving approval from the Government of Namibia and the Ministry of Mines and Energy to assume the operatorship of PEL 34 is another vote of confidence in the Company’s ability. Across our Namibian portfolio we have carried out aspects of the technical evaluation work and managed a number of operational projects on behalf of the partnerships. We view our move to operator status as a natural progression and an endorsement of our technical and operational capabilities.

“The opening of our office in Windhoek and the appointment of Uaapi Utjavari, as Vice President Exploration of AziNam for Africa, further strengthens our position in Namibia as we continue to grow within the region.

Sturt added: “The Namibian E&P sector is entering a promising period as a number of sizeable Independent E&P companies have recognised the potential for significant hydrocarbon discoveries offshore Namibia and are driving forward with exploration campaigns.

“Namibia’s favourable licence terms and attractive business environment encourage exploration investment and we would like to thank the Government and people of Namibia for their continued support.”

[mappress mapid=”1689″]