Research firm Wood Mackenzie Exploration Survey has recognised Shell and Galp Energies for their significant contributions to the exploration sector, specifically highlighting their work in Namibia.
The survey collects insights from industry professionals, asking respondents to identify the most admired explorers, excluding their own companies.
In the 16th annual Wood Mackenzie Exploration Survey, Shell received the Discovery of the Year award for its Jonker find, as well as for previous discoveries in Namibia, in partnership with QatarEnergy and NAMCOR.
The Jonker discovery is located in 2,200 metres of water off the coast of Namibia.
“The Jonker discovery made in 2,200 metres of water off Namibia is part of a fast-emerging play that has the entire industry very excited,” Wood Mackenzie Director of Subsurface Research Julie Wilson said.
She added that if Shell and its partners can commercialise this project together with their other discoveries on the acreage, it will help establish an important new industry for Namibia.
Meanwhile, Galp Energies was recognised as the E&P Explorer of the Year for the first time in the Wood Mackenzie survey.
This award follows Galp’s significant drilling success in Namibia, particularly with its giant Mopane discovery earlier this year.
“It is another award stemming from drilling success in the active Namibian exploration sector. Galp announced its giant Mopane discovery earlier this year and hopes to move quickly towards development,” said Wilson.
Other companies featured include PETRONAS which received the National Oil Company (NOC) Explorer of the Year award for its achievements in gas exploration within its Malaysian heartlands.
In 2023, PETRONAS made significant discoveries, adding over 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent to its resources, supporting Malaysia’s gas industry.
The company also achieved international exploration success in Suriname, which will continue into 2024.
The award-winning companies, as well as many others, continue to discover advantaged resources that can displace less sustainable and more costly oil and gas supply.
Willson noted that their development will reduce upstream emissions and support investment in clean energy alternatives through the energy transition.
Italian major Eni was named the upstream industry’s most-admired explorer in Wood Mackenzie’s annual Exploration Survey. This marks the fifth time Eni has received this recognition, tying the record for the most accolades in the survey’s history
