Staff Writer
Namibia’s energy ambitions came into focus during a visit by a United States government delegation to Baker Hughes’ facility at the Port of Walvis Bay.
The delegation was led by US ambassador to Namibia John Giordano. It included Joshua Volz, special envoy for global energy integration at the US department of energy and Mike Kopp, senior advisor to the US secretary of energy, along with other officials.
They toured Baker Hughes’ integrated multi-modal facility and received a briefing on the company’s operations in Namibia. The visit highlighted the role of the company’s infrastructure in supporting the development of Namibia’s natural resources.
Victor Joseph, Namibia country director for Baker Hughes, OFSE (Oilfield Services & Equipment), said the company has invested in facilities and localisation efforts in the country.
“Baker Hughes has made substantial investments in Namibia through both our facilities and our localisation efforts that are creating economic opportunity for Namibia and its people.”
At Walvis Bay, Baker Hughes operates a liquid mud plant, a cement bulk facility and an integrated multi-modal facility. The liquid mud plant has a 15,000-barrel capacity. The facilities provide a local source of materials close to Namibia’s offshore oil fields. The integrated facility also houses testing and maintenance equipment for subsea operations.
The company provides oilfield services to operators in Namibia. These include drilling services, subsea wellheads, drilling and completion fluids, and tubular running services.
Baker Hughes has also focused on localisation. Earlier this week, the company hosted local suppliers and representatives from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and Petrofund at its facilities in Nigeria.
In Onne, Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, the Namibian delegation met Nigerian suppliers and toured oil and gas facilities, assembly plants and manufacturing centres to learn about supply chain development and industry practices.
At Walvis Bay, Baker Hughes employs local workers trained in oil and gas operations. The company also provides training to staff from the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia and the Ministry of Mines and Energy to support skills development in the sector.
Baker Hughes operates in more than 120 countries and describes itself as an energy technology company that delivers solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide.
