Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, on Wednesday welcomed a United States of America (US) government delegation to the company’s integrated multi-modal facility at the Port of Walvis Bay, where American leaders observed firsthand the progress and impact of Namibia’s burgeoning energy sector.
The delegation was led by the US ambassador John Giordano, who was accompanied by Joshua Volz, special envoy for global energy integration for the US department of energy; Mike Kopp, senior advisor to the US secretary of energy; and other officials from the US department of energy.
During the visit, officials learned about the critical role that Baker Hughes facilities, including its liquid mud plant, cement bulk facility and integrated multimodal facility play in the development of Namibia’s natural resources.
“Namibia is positioned to become one of Africa’s leading energy suppliers. Through its Walvis Bay facilities, Baker Hughes is providing the infrastructure that is helping the country reach its goals,” said Victor Joseph, Namibia country director for Baker Hughes – OFSE (Oilfield Services & Equipment).
“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,” he added.
Baker Hughe provides comprehensive oilfield services to operators in Namibia, including drilling services, subsea wellheads, drilling and completions fluids and tubular running services.
Its facilities, including one of the country’s largest liquid mud plants with a 15 000 barrel capacity, are located at the Walvis Bay Port, and provide a consistent, local source of materials close to the country’s offshore fields. The integrated multi-modal facility houses advanced testing and maintenance equipment to support a variety of subsea operations.
Baker Hughes is also investing in localisation initiatives that support the development of Namibia’s domestic energy sector.
Earlier this week, the company hosted a group of local suppliers, representatives from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) as well as Petrofund at its facilities in Nigeria.
In Onne, Port Harcourt, in the Rivers State, these individuals had the opportunity to learn from established Nigerian suppliers and to visit oil and gas facilities and assembly manufacturing centres.
At the Walvis Bay facility, Baker Hughes employs local workers who have been trained in advanced oil and gas operations.
The company also provided training to personnel from the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) and the country’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) to help strengthen the nation’s pipeline of skilled workers.
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