Namibia’s Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy said on Sunday that it had not been formally notified of a planned acquisition involving the country’s PEL 104 offshore exploration license, Bloomberg reported. The ministry highlighted that any transfer or acquisition of stakes in petroleum licenses must receive prior approval from the industries minister.

The planned transaction, announced on Friday by TotalEnergies SE, involves the French company acquiring a 42.5 percent operated stake from Eight Offshore Investments Holdings and Maravilla Oil & Gas. Brazil’s Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) is set to take an identical 42.5 percent share.

According to the ministry, officials were informed of the press release only “a few minutes prior to its release,” and noted that this failure to follow legal procedures raises questions about the completion of the deal. The statement also underscores regulatory and procedural expectations for foreign investors in Namibia.