Namcor drills Mopane-2X exploration to its designated depth

Martin Endjala

National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), has today announced that it has successfully drilled the Mopane-2ꓫ exploration well to its designated depth in Block 2813A (PEL83), Orange Basin, offshore of Namibia.

With its ten percent carried interest, in conjunction with its partners Galp Energia (80 percent, operator) and Custos Energy’s 10 percent, drilling encountered a significant column with light oil in reservoirs of high quality.

According to Namcor’s Interim Managing Director, Ebson Uanguta the AVO-3 exploration target, the AVO-1 appraisal target, and a deeper target were fully cored and logged.

The AVO-1 appraisal target Uanguta said, found the same pressure regime as in the Mopane-1X discovery well located around 8 kilometers to the east, confirming its lateral extension. The rig will now return to the Mopane-1X well location to conduct a drill stem test (commonly known as DST).

Uanguta elaborated that Galp will continue to analyse the acquired data during the coming weeks to assess the commerciality of the discoveries and will update its partners as well as the public in due course.

Furthermore, the Interim MD reaffirmed the company’s commitment to realising Namibia’s upstream potential, while emphasising that Namcor remains committed to its mission of exploring and responsibly developing Namibia’s petroleum resources, cementing that this discovery is a testament to the organisation’s dedication and expertise.

Meanwhile, earlier this year in January 2024, the company announced a significant oil discovery in the Mopane-1X exploration well, located in PEL83, the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia.

The PEL83 JV partners confirmed the presence of a substantial column of light oil in high-quality, reservoir-bearing sands within the Cenomanian-Turonian interval.

This is the second oil discovery in the Upper Cretaceous Orange Basin, showcasing a functional petroleum system in the Upper Cretaceous in addition to the proven hydrocarbon presence established by the 2022 oil discoveries in the Lower Cretaceous.

DST was conducted to assess the commercial potential of the discovery, ultimately determining the next steps for the Mopane-1X drilling operations.

Upon the successful completion of these operations, the drilling rig was then relocated to the Mopane-2X site to further evaluate the extent of this promising discovery.

Mopane-1X and Mopane-2X are part of Galp’s ongoing exploration campaign on blocks 2813A and 2814B in Namibia’s Orange b sasin.