Shell will write down around $400 million over an oil discovery offshore Namibia that it deemed commercially unviable in a blow to the southern African country's efforts to become a crude producer. Shell told Reuters that discovered oil and gas resources in offshore block PEL39 in Namibia "cannot currently be confirmed for commercial development.

Shell writes off $400M for failed oil and gas discoveries in Namibia's offshore Orange basin, faces technical and geological challenges.

Shell has determined that an oil discovery off the coast of Namibia is not commercially viable, leading to a projected write-down of around $400m (£325.52m), reported Reuters. This decision is a setback for Namibia's ambition to establish itself as an oil producer.