Galp Energia SGPS SA has spudded the Mopane 2X exploration well in petroleum exploration license (PEL) 83 in Namibia’s Orange basin, said partner Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. in a Nov. 27 release.
Mopane is the first of two wells which are scheduled to be drilled by the Hercules semi-submersible rig under a contract that provides for two wells and optional testing (OGJ Online, May 8, 2023).
PEL 83, in 250-2,550 m of water, sits directly above Block 2913A, where Shell plc made its Graff-1 light oil discovery, and directly west of Kudu Gas field currently being developed by BW Energy. PEL 83 is also contiguous to Block 2913B where TotalEnergies made its Venus-1 discovery (OGJ Online, June 23, 2022).
Galp is operator of PEL 83 (80%) with partners the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) (10%), and Custos Energy (10%). Sintana has 49% carried interest through its indirect investment in Custos Energy.