The OPEC+ oil producer’s group, is eyeing Namibia for possible membership as it sets up what could be Africa’s fourth-largest output by the next decade.
An African industry official and sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
TotalEnergies and Shell in recent years have made discoveries estimated at 2.6 billion barrels, setting the stage for the southern African country to plan production from about 2030.
The initial focus for OPEC+ would be to see Namibia join its Charter of Cooperation, the sources said, a grouping that engages in longer-term dialogue about energy markets.
Brazil had joined the charter in January.
Eventually OPEC, the core oil exporters group that with Russia and others forms OPEC+, would like to see Namibia become a full member, said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
This Ayuk said had been involved in facilitating talks between the two sides.
OPEC Secretary-general Haitham Al Ghais was quoted in February as saying OPEC was holding talks with several nations on joining the charter, without naming them.
OPEC in a tweet at the time said Al Ghais met Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo at a conference in Nigeria where the prospect of OPEC and Namibia working together “under the umbrella of the charter of cooperation” was raised.
