Galp Energia’s operated Mopane-2X exploration well in PEL 83 in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia has encountered a significant column of light oil in high-quality reservoirs, the company announced March 14.

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PEL 83 is in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia. (Source: Sintana Energy)

The AVO-3 exploration target, the AVO-1 appraisal target and a deeper target were fully cored and logged. The AVO-1 appraisal target found the same pressure regime as in the Mopane-1X discovery well located around 8 km to the east, confirming its lateral extension. The rig will now return to the Mopane-1X well location to conduct a drill stem test until early April, Galp said.

In early January, Galp announced the Mopane-1X well as a significant light oil discovery and followed that announcement up in late January saying the Avo-2 target in the Mopane-1X well had discovered a significant column of light oil in high-quality sands.

PEL 83 is north of PEL 39, where Shell discovered hydrocarbons with Graff-1, La Rona-1 and Jonker-1, and northwest of PEL 56, which holds TotalEnergies’ Venus discovery. TotalEnergies recently increased its interests in the Orange Basin.

Galp said it will analyze the data to assess the commerciality of the discoveries.

Galp operates PEL 83 containing the Mopane discoveries with 80% interest on behalf of partners NAMCOR (National Petroleum Co. of Namibia) with 10% and Custos with 10%. Sintana Energy holds an indirect 49% interest in Custos.

Offshore