Namibia to host IADC Drilling Africa Conference
Namibia takes center stage in Africa’s upstream oil and gas conversation. The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Drilling Africa Conference & Exhibition will take place from 24–25 February 2026 at the Hilton Hotel, in Windhoek.
The high-level conference is expected to attract more than 250 oil and gas professionals from over 20 countries. Reflecting Namibia’s growing prominence as a key destination for offshore energy investment and drilling activity on the African continent.
The two-day conference will explore a wide range of issues shaping drilling operations across Africa, with strong relevance to Namibia’s emerging upstream sector. Topics include the African drilling market outlook, partnering opportunities in Namibia, bankable contracts for drilling contractors, artificial intelligence in drilling operations, carbon capture and storage, geothermal drilling, automation and digitalisation, well control, plug and abandonment, and strategies for attracting and developing Generation Z talent.
Several prominent industry leaders are scheduled to deliver keynote and opening addresses, including: Kornelia Shilunga, presidential advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum unit in the Presidency, Mariam Kane-Garcia, CEO of TotalEnergies Namibia Travis Smithard, CEO of Rhino Resources, Ben Pomford, senior director of technical marketing at Noble Corporation.
The conference programme includes four interactive panel discussions, focusing on: Bankable Contracts for Drilling Contractors, AI: Transforming Drilling Operations, Decision-Making and Communication, Nationalisation and Workforce Development in Namibia’s Offshore Sector: Building Competence for a Sustainable Future and Fostering Future Energy Leaders: A Strategic Approach to Engaging Generation Z (Gen Z).
Additional presentations will address Africa’s drilling market outlook from the perspective of drilling contractors, partnering opportunities in Namibia, carbon capture and storage potential, and benchmarking approaches to well plug and abandonment projects.
Alongside the conference, an exhibition will showcase the latest products, services and technologies from local and international companies operating across the drilling value chain. Leading sponsors include Northern Ocean, Shelf Drilling, TotalEnergies, Noble Corporation, Sonadrill, Tenaris, Odfjell Drilling, Tomax, CS Oilfield and Derrick Solutions International, with Namibia Oil and Gas as the official local media partner, supporting engagement and dialogue with key industry stakeholders.
The IADC Drilling Africa Conference & Exhibition is expected to provide a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and engagement as Namibia continues to position itself within Africa’s evolving upstream energy landscape.
The high-level conference is expected to attract more than 250 oil and gas professionals from over 20 countries. Reflecting Namibia’s growing prominence as a key destination for offshore energy investment and drilling activity on the African continent.
The two-day conference will explore a wide range of issues shaping drilling operations across Africa, with strong relevance to Namibia’s emerging upstream sector. Topics include the African drilling market outlook, partnering opportunities in Namibia, bankable contracts for drilling contractors, artificial intelligence in drilling operations, carbon capture and storage, geothermal drilling, automation and digitalisation, well control, plug and abandonment, and strategies for attracting and developing Generation Z talent.
Several prominent industry leaders are scheduled to deliver keynote and opening addresses, including: Kornelia Shilunga, presidential advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum unit in the Presidency, Mariam Kane-Garcia, CEO of TotalEnergies Namibia Travis Smithard, CEO of Rhino Resources, Ben Pomford, senior director of technical marketing at Noble Corporation.
The conference programme includes four interactive panel discussions, focusing on: Bankable Contracts for Drilling Contractors, AI: Transforming Drilling Operations, Decision-Making and Communication, Nationalisation and Workforce Development in Namibia’s Offshore Sector: Building Competence for a Sustainable Future and Fostering Future Energy Leaders: A Strategic Approach to Engaging Generation Z (Gen Z).
Additional presentations will address Africa’s drilling market outlook from the perspective of drilling contractors, partnering opportunities in Namibia, carbon capture and storage potential, and benchmarking approaches to well plug and abandonment projects.
Alongside the conference, an exhibition will showcase the latest products, services and technologies from local and international companies operating across the drilling value chain. Leading sponsors include Northern Ocean, Shelf Drilling, TotalEnergies, Noble Corporation, Sonadrill, Tenaris, Odfjell Drilling, Tomax, CS Oilfield and Derrick Solutions International, with Namibia Oil and Gas as the official local media partner, supporting engagement and dialogue with key industry stakeholders.
The IADC Drilling Africa Conference & Exhibition is expected to provide a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and engagement as Namibia continues to position itself within Africa’s evolving upstream energy landscape.
