TotalEnergies yesterday announced the appointment of Nicola Mavilla as senior vice president for exploration with effect from 1 November 2025. Mavilla is replacing Kevin McLachlan, who held this position since 2015. 

Recent TotalEnergies exploration activities have led to major discoveries over the past three years, notably in Suriname and Namibia. TotalEnergies invests around US$1 billion (just under N$17 billion at current rates) annually in exploration and appraisal, focusing on prospects that have the potential to generate low cost, low-emissions oil and gas developments. 

Meanwhile, Mavilla has 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and a strong track record in leading successful exploration activities. He joined Eni in 2002 and served as exploration manager in Libya and Norway, VP exploration for West Africa, VP exploration for Americas and Northern Europe and managing director of Eni Ivory Coast. Since 2024, he was Head of Exploration Projects of Eni. Mavilla holds a PhD. in geology from the University of Bordeaux.  

TotalEnergies is active in about 120 countries. The company stated it places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, projects and operations.

Meanwhile, TotalEnergies also yesterday announced a memorandum of understanding with long-standing partner, Veolia. The two entities signed for further cooperation in several key areas of energy transition and the circular economy, in line with their respective approaches to reduce their greenhouse gases emissions and water footprint. This cooperation is expected to benefit the entire industry through the scaling up of innovative processes and the advancement of research into future-oriented challenges.

According to the agreement, the two companies will pool their industrial competencies: Veolia will contribute its expertise in water resource management and the resource recovery of new waste streams, and TotalEnergies its in the measurement and reduction of methane emissions and the production and supply of low-carbon energies.