Africa-Press – Namibia. The Portuguese company, Galp Energia, which recently discovered more oil in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia, estimates their hydrocarbon resource could hold 10 billion barrels or more of good quality oil. Galp is active in blocks 2813A and 2814B in the heart of the Orange Basin, where it is in partnership with Custos Energy (10%), founded by local businessman Knowledge Katti, and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). The consortium recently concluded testing at its Mopane 1X well, where it made these most recent resource estimates.
“The reservoirs log measures contain good porosities, high pressures and high permeabilities in large hydrocarbon columns. Fluid samples present very low oil viscosity and contain minimum CO2 and no H2S concentrations. The flows achieved during the well test have reached the maximum allowed limits of approximately 14 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, positioning Mopane potentially as an important commercial discovery. In the Mopane complex alone, and before drilling additional exploration and appraisal wells, hydrocarbon in-place estimates are 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, or higher,” read statements from Custos Energy issued on Sunday. This information was corroborated by a Namcor statement issued yesterday.
The Mopane-1X well was discovered in January, and is said to contain significant oil columns containing light oil in high-quality reservoir sands at two different levels, known as AVO-1 and AVO-2.
“The rig then moved to the Mopane-2X well location, where in March significant light oil columns were discovered in high-quality reservoir sands across exploration and appraisal targets; AVO-3, AVO-1 and a deeper target. In particular, the Mopane-2X well found AVO-1 to be in the same pressure regime as in the Mopane1X discovery well, around 8km to the east, confirming its lateral extension,” the statement reads.
The statement added that all acquired data from the current Mopane drilling campaign will be analysed and integrated into an updated reservoir model. This model will serve as the basis to refine Galp ́s near-term drilling plan to further explore, appraise and develop the wider Mopane complex.
Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 83 is located immediately north of PEL 39, which is home to Shell’s basin opening discoveries at Graff1, La Rona-1 and Jonker-1. Additionally, it is located north and east of PEL 56, where TotalEnergies announced its giant oil discovery at Venus-1.
“The successful culmination of the exploration campaign at Mopane, including a well test reaching the maximum allowable limit, further demonstrates the scope and potential of PEL 83. With the current discoveries alone containing potential in excess of 10 billion barrels of original oil in place, Mopane is one of the largest discoveries globally,” said Katti, chairman and chief executive officer at Custos Energy.
“The success of this exploration campaign clearly demonstrates the opportunity this industry can bring to the people of Namibia, including in particular young Namibians. Custos looks forward to working with local community trusts to ensure that this progress improves livelihoods and opportunities while reducing poverty in an equitable and sustainable way. We are proud and honoured to lead these initiatives,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is considering Namibia for possible membership. This is as resource estimates project Namibia could soon become Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer by output. OPEC has in recent years lost members such as Angola and other players.
Meanwhile, Shell has reportedly made yet another oil discovery, also in the Orange basin. However, industry insiders believe it is too early to tell if this latest find is of commercial quality and quantity. Shell’s latest find was made at its Enigma-1X probe that is being drilled in Shell’s PEL 39 by Northern Ocean’s semi-submersible drilling rig Deepsea Bollsta, which is being managed by Odfjell Drilling.
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