Following a lull in activity during the middle of 2024, and despite the recent news from Shell and Chevron (Kapana-1), exploration and appraisal drilling returns full throttle in the highly prospective Orange Basin offshore Namibia. Supermajor TotalEnergies is currently drilling in PEL 56, with Independent Rhino Resources joining the throng with a debut wildcat in PEL 85. However, eyes are currently fixed on Galp’s ostensibly huge Mopane discovery in PEL 83.
Major discoveries and drilling campaigns
The Hercules semi-submersible (Odfjell Drilling) mobilised to PEL 83 to drill Mopane-1X for Galp and discovered light oil in January 2024 in Upper Cretaceous clastics, with estimated reserves reported at the time of 10 BBOE. The sixth generation rig then mobilised to Mopane-2X (in February 2024), around 7km to the west of 1X, discovering oil in the AVO-3 and -1 reservoirs, and confirming the lateral extension of Mopane. DSTs followed at the original discovery well, with flow rates maxing-out at 14,000 BOEPD, constrained by available testing equipment.
November 2024 saw Saipem’s seventh generation Santorini drillship contracted to drill appraisals Mopane-1A and Mopane-2A. Continuing the run of success, the wells confirmed oil, gas, and condensate in the larger Mopane field area, also indicating good porosities, high permeabilities, high pressures, and low oil viscosity. The appraisal campaign also confirmed the extension of AVO-1 and AVO-3, some 17 km from the original 1X discovery.
The Santorini is now drilling Mopane-3X, one of two exploration wells planned on the greater Mopane complex. Spud on 1st January 2025, the well will be targeting stacked AVO 10 and 13 plays. Concurrent with the drilling campaign, Galp also commenced a high-density and high-resolution 3D seismic campaign over Mopane in December 2024, utilising TGS’ Ramform Hyperion. This race to drill, appraise, explore and image the reservoir at Mopane shows a clear ambition by Galp to show the industry, and potential investors, a world class fast track development is on the cards here.
As subsea concepts and development Capex looms, Galp is running a very busy partner search process. Brazilian NOC Petrobras publicly announced a bid submission for 40 % of Galp’s interest in PEL 83, with other supermajors also interested in the acreage. The farm-out process has since been delayed, and is likely to be picked up again following completion of the current drilling campaign.
TotalEnergies and BW Energy also joined the race to production, with their Venus (2022) and Kudu (1974) fields vying to be Namibia’s maiden offshore development. BW is currently progressing a Gas-to-Power field development plan for Kudu. Recent 3D acquired by Shearwater and Searcher for BW Energy has unsurprisingly revealed strong potential for the Mopane-style oil play on the Kudu block. TotalEnergies meanwhile progress the Phase 1 development scenarios for Venus, expected to be finalised by the end of 2025, with a view to a potential FID.
There is much media discussion on the commerciality of recent Orange Basin discoveries. Shell has said it will write down its investment in PEL 39, citing geological challenges to commercialising oil and gas at Graff and Jonker. However, talk of light oil, good reservoir properties, high test flowrates and very large volumes at Mopane (from the operator Galp) may yet restore full confidence in this basin.
