NOGC 2025: McDermott Outlines Strategic Approach to Unlock Namibia’s Energy Potential
By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
As preparations are underway to host the 3rd edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC), taking place in Windhoek from 12 to 15 August 2025, McDermott has outlined its innovative and strategic approach to unlocking Namibia’s oil and gas potential.
This year’s NOGC, themed “From Exploration to Action – Positioning Namibia as the Next Energy Frontier,” is set to attract over 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries.
As Namibia continues to position itself as a key player in the global energy market, the 3rd Namibia Oil and Gas Conference is a vital platform for professionals to exchange ideas, enhance their expertise, and discuss the future of the energy landscape.
Speaking in an interview, covered by The Energy Republic, Mahesh Swaminathan, Executive Committee Member, Senior Vice President, Subsea and Floating Facilities, at McDermott, provided insights about the company’s role in the Namibia oil and gas industry.
Swaminathan said, “Namibia stands to benefit enormously from our global advancements in offshore engineering and construction, particularly as it prepares for technically complex deepwater infrastructure developments.”
“From concept to commissioning and supported by one of the most capable marine fleets globally, our integrated delivery model is underpinned by operational excellence, safe execution, and the deep expertise of our engineering and fabrication teams. Our deepwater vessel, the Amazon, is engineered to operate at water depths beyond the reach of most vessels globally. It’s one of the industry’s most highly automated pipelay vessels, and especially well-suited to support Namibia’s emerging offshore potential,” he explains.
“Namibia will be able to accelerate offshore infrastructure development with reduced execution risk and stronger operational performance over the long term. Through digital project delivery and integrated engineering models, we can also streamline planning, simulate offshore operations in advance, and reduce costly rework during execution.”
Speaking further, Swaminathan said, “The true advantage comes from aligning these innovations with local capability development. Namibian stakeholders must not just be recipients of advanced solutions, but active participants in designing, delivering, and sustaining them.”
To support this, McDermott is leveraging partnerships to connect with local talent pools, offering hands-on training and on-the-job experience. The goal is to ensure that Namibia not only builds infrastructure but also develops a skilled, empowered workforce ready to sustain it. This commitment aligns closely with NOGC’s ongoing focus on local content development and youth empowerment. According to Swaminathan, Namibia has a unique opportunity to chart an inclusive path, learning from countries like Angola while forging strategies that reflect its own economic, social, and policy environments.
“The key is to act early – set clear local content targets, build a transparent framework, and create strong partnerships across government, industry, and academia,” he explained.
According to him, the strategic approach includes identifying immediate local opportunities in areas like logistics, support services, and administration, while steadily investing in long-term capacity for technical disciplines such as fabrication, marine operations, and engineering.
Swaminathan also highlighted McDermott’s supplier development model – one rooted in long-term collaboration, training, and mutual growth.
“In every new market, we start by listening. We identify local suppliers who can be developed into strategic partners and support them with technical training, quality assurance, and HSE mentoring,” he sated, “In Namibia, this could mean early supplier mapping and capability assessments, followed by structured development programs aligned with project scopes. We look for ways to bridge them, whether through joint execution, knowledge transfer, or targeted investment. We also work closely with the industry to ensure our partnerships align with national priorities.”
For McDermott, Namibia’s potential isn’t just about barrels and infrastructure. It’s about building a legacy of innovation, opportunity, and self-sufficiency.
“With the right foundation, Namibia can create a skilled local workforce and a supplier base that strengthens its competitiveness—not just in Africa, but on the global stage,” he added.
The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference is hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), with the strategic partnership of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR).
- The conference will feature:
- 70+ expert speakers and high-level panels
- A doubled exhibition space for innovative technologies and services
- Enhanced networking and skills-building opportunities
For more information, please visit www.namibiaoilandgasconf.com
