Drilling in Walvis Bay, Namibia
Can Merlin work magic for Shell in Namibia?
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
Shell is returning to work offshore Namibia with Merlin-1X, a well that could decide whether the company can still turn its early lead in one of the world’s most closely watched frontier basins into a commercial project, or whether it sidelines the country in favour of exploration opportunities elsewhere. The UK major aims to spud Merlin-1X this month at PEL39—its only offshore licence in Namibia, situated in the fast-emerging Orange Basin. It marks the company’s return to offshore operations in the country after writing down $400m in January 2025, saying the resources it had found could not be confirmed as commercial, despite having drilled nine wells. Merlin-1X “represents an effort to fin
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