Rhino Resources CEO’s Keynote Address at the Namibia Oil & Gas Conference

Orange Basin – The Time is Now

Windhoek, Namibia – 19 August 2025 – Rhino Resources CEO, Travis Smithard, opened the third Namibia Oil & Gas Conference (NOGC) with the keynote address, outlining Rhino’s commitment as an independent operator to the responsible development of Namibia’s Orange Basin through “balancing business imperative with good corporate citizenship”, with a clear ambition to be the first joint venture to first oil production, while ensuring the successful local upliftment of Namibia and its people.

Addressing the NOGC, attended by over 1,100 delegates and 73 exhibitors, Smithard highlighted Rhino’s role as operator of exploration licence PEL 85, alongside partners NAMCOR, Azule Energy, and Korres Investment. This collaborative partnership, built on a shared belief in the region’s potential, has driven discoveries that aim to benefit both the economy and the Namibian nation.

Namibia & Rhino – Shared Purpose
Guided by agility, partnership, relevance, and integrity, Rhino operates independently and deliberately. Smithard applauded the Namibian government for fostering a stable, transparent investment environment, rooted in the rule of law and contract sanctity, which is helping to make Namibia a leading recipient of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This trust-based collaboration between government and industry positions Namibia as a model for Africa.

The Volans 1X exploration well, currently being drilled by Rhino and its partners, will strategically advance the understanding of PEL 85’s potential, following Rhino’s first two successful wells: Capricornus-1X light oil discovery (11,000 barrels/day on test) and Sagittarius 1X, both of which tested different play types.

Local Upliftment
Rhino approaches ‘local content’, as creating lasting national capacity and upliftment, demonstrated in its current campaign, which employs 60% Namibian nationals, invested 80% of supply chain spend (N$3.8 billion) into Namibian companies, and continues to train students via the Rhino-Halliburton Technology Centre.

Speaking during the NOGC keynote address, Rhino Resources CEO, Travis Smithard affirmed: “We are not here to simply extract oil and gas – we are here to unlock and repatriate value to Namibia’s people. Our goal is to set new industry standards – balancing business imperatives with corporate citizenship… not just in barrels and GDP, but in dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity.”

“We as Africans have both the right – and the responsibility – to develop our resources for our people… If we lead with courage, integrity, and collaboration, Namibia can become a beacon of responsible development for Africa and the world.”

Aligned with National Development Plan 6 (NDP6), Rhino supports hydrocarbons as a catalyst for economic security, growth, and a just energy transition, inspired in practice by the African philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are” – which promotes mutual responsibility and shared progress – a key to success.

Media Contacts:
Burson Buchanan: energy@buchanan.uk.com – Ben Romney / Barry Archer +44(0) 207 466 5000

About Rhino Resources
Rhino Resources is a Cape Town based, privately-owned company focused on organic and inorganic growth to become a leading Independent E&P company. The pursuit of energy equality and a just energy transition underpin the company’s vision and purpose. In South Africa, Rhino is exploring onshore for biogenic gas, helium and native hydrogen. Our ambition is to play a role in unlocking the energy potential of South Africa by supplying dispatchable resources required to enable large-scale renewable energy adoption. In Namibia, Rhino operates the offshore exploration licence PEL85 in the prospective Orange Basin. Our Senegalese subsidiary is positioned in the AGC sector with two offshore exploration licences Blocks Ultra Profond 3 and 4.