NAMCOR’s new upstream development and production executive
Shaping Namibia's oil and gas discovery strategies
Mtundeni Ndafyaalako's department aims to transform NAMCOR's focus from predominantly exploring to producing, particularly in light of recent oil discoveries.
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) recently appointed Mtundeni Ndafyaalako as its new upstream development and production executive.
Ndafyaalako, who was the company's new ventures manager, officially assumed the role in June this year, after acting in it for about nine months. While relatively new, he said the department holds significant importance in NAMCOR's transformation from a predominant exploration focus to a production focus, particularly in light of recent oil discoveries.
“The responsibility is substantial, as decisions must be made not only for NAMCOR but often for the entire nation, making it a formidable challenge. My ability to harmonise the demands of a challenging profession with my role as a devoted full-time husband and father to two toddlers fills me with pride. Believe me, it's no small feat!”
Climbing ladders
He grew up looking after goats and cattle in Ongha in the Ohangwena Region, and is currently pursuing an MBA in finance. He holds a master of science degree in petroleum geology from the University of Namibia (Unam) and completed a senior management development programme at the University of Stellenbosch.
After he matriculated from Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School, he enrolled for a bachelor of science degree in geology at Unam, but left for Cuba a year later.
“I spent six years at the Higher Institute of Mining and Metallurgy of Moa in Cuba, studying geological engineering (petroleum exploration and production, and geophysics).”
Ndafyaalako’s professional journey commenced in 2013 as an underground geotechnical team leader at Weatherly’s Matchless Mine. Subsequently, he spent three years at Pioneer Energy as a consulting petroleum geologist.
He later joined the ministry of mines and energy in 2016 as an upstream petroleum inspector.
“I then joined NAMCOR as a geoscientist in 2018, when they were shaping their new strategy, focusing on expanding upstream assets both locally and internationally. My department plays a proactive role in shaping the developmental strategies for Namibia's oil and gas discoveries. Our efforts drive the nation’s ambition of achieving energy self-sufficiency and positioning itself as a significant energy export hub.”
Roles and responsibilities
As the executive for upstream development and production, he oversees NAMCOR’s portfolio of commercial oil and gas assets both locally and internationally. This includes projects like Kudu, recent discoveries, special purpose vehicles and shareholding companies. His responsibilities encompass formulating and implementing NAMCOR’s strategy for environmental, social and governance (ESG)-conscious hydrocarbon development and sustainable production across global assets.
He plays a vital role in driving NAMCOR’s technical and commercial participation in recent oil discoveries, aiming to maximise value and refine the company's capabilities for future operatorship of petroleum licences.
According to him, his passion for geosciences was ignited in high school, where he excelled in understanding depositional environments and basins.
“My enthusiasm grew as my elder brother, now a captain of a diamond mining vessel, shared captivating insights about rocks, minerals, diamonds, oil and underground water.”
His foremost aspiration is to witness the company's triumphant and ESG-conscious growth, followed by the lasting eco-friendly extraction of Namibia's hydrocarbon assets, a goal they aim to achieve by 2030. He envisions a collaborative advancement in both fossil fuels and renewables, a strategic approach they are proactively pursuing at NAMCOR.
“This strategy ensures that we retain the value of our oil reserves while seizing the potential of the energy transition, ultimately establishing ourselves as a key player in the international energy space.”
Words of wisdom
Ndafyaalako urged young professionals to acquire the skill of accomplishing tasks, regardless of their scale.
To consistently deliver efficient and accurate results, regardless of assignment size, will undoubtedly garner recognition, he said. “Trust me, your efforts will be acknowledged and rewarded when you consistently uphold this approach.”
As for those aspiring to pursue a career in oil and gas, “the industry is quite dynamic and multi-disciplinary and thus requires continuous learning and self-improvement for those seeking career growth. It helps to be versatile and willing to integrate other fields such as law, finance and economics on top of your technical role.”
Ndafyaalako, who was the company's new ventures manager, officially assumed the role in June this year, after acting in it for about nine months. While relatively new, he said the department holds significant importance in NAMCOR's transformation from a predominant exploration focus to a production focus, particularly in light of recent oil discoveries.
“The responsibility is substantial, as decisions must be made not only for NAMCOR but often for the entire nation, making it a formidable challenge. My ability to harmonise the demands of a challenging profession with my role as a devoted full-time husband and father to two toddlers fills me with pride. Believe me, it's no small feat!”
Climbing ladders
He grew up looking after goats and cattle in Ongha in the Ohangwena Region, and is currently pursuing an MBA in finance. He holds a master of science degree in petroleum geology from the University of Namibia (Unam) and completed a senior management development programme at the University of Stellenbosch.
After he matriculated from Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School, he enrolled for a bachelor of science degree in geology at Unam, but left for Cuba a year later.
“I spent six years at the Higher Institute of Mining and Metallurgy of Moa in Cuba, studying geological engineering (petroleum exploration and production, and geophysics).”
Ndafyaalako’s professional journey commenced in 2013 as an underground geotechnical team leader at Weatherly’s Matchless Mine. Subsequently, he spent three years at Pioneer Energy as a consulting petroleum geologist.
He later joined the ministry of mines and energy in 2016 as an upstream petroleum inspector.
“I then joined NAMCOR as a geoscientist in 2018, when they were shaping their new strategy, focusing on expanding upstream assets both locally and internationally. My department plays a proactive role in shaping the developmental strategies for Namibia's oil and gas discoveries. Our efforts drive the nation’s ambition of achieving energy self-sufficiency and positioning itself as a significant energy export hub.”
Roles and responsibilities
As the executive for upstream development and production, he oversees NAMCOR’s portfolio of commercial oil and gas assets both locally and internationally. This includes projects like Kudu, recent discoveries, special purpose vehicles and shareholding companies. His responsibilities encompass formulating and implementing NAMCOR’s strategy for environmental, social and governance (ESG)-conscious hydrocarbon development and sustainable production across global assets.
He plays a vital role in driving NAMCOR’s technical and commercial participation in recent oil discoveries, aiming to maximise value and refine the company's capabilities for future operatorship of petroleum licences.
According to him, his passion for geosciences was ignited in high school, where he excelled in understanding depositional environments and basins.
“My enthusiasm grew as my elder brother, now a captain of a diamond mining vessel, shared captivating insights about rocks, minerals, diamonds, oil and underground water.”
His foremost aspiration is to witness the company's triumphant and ESG-conscious growth, followed by the lasting eco-friendly extraction of Namibia's hydrocarbon assets, a goal they aim to achieve by 2030. He envisions a collaborative advancement in both fossil fuels and renewables, a strategic approach they are proactively pursuing at NAMCOR.
“This strategy ensures that we retain the value of our oil reserves while seizing the potential of the energy transition, ultimately establishing ourselves as a key player in the international energy space.”
Words of wisdom
Ndafyaalako urged young professionals to acquire the skill of accomplishing tasks, regardless of their scale.
To consistently deliver efficient and accurate results, regardless of assignment size, will undoubtedly garner recognition, he said. “Trust me, your efforts will be acknowledged and rewarded when you consistently uphold this approach.”
As for those aspiring to pursue a career in oil and gas, “the industry is quite dynamic and multi-disciplinary and thus requires continuous learning and self-improvement for those seeking career growth. It helps to be versatile and willing to integrate other fields such as law, finance and economics on top of your technical role.”
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