The Mopane-1X well on PEL 83 in the Orange Basin off the coast of Namibia has shown signs of hydrocarbons.
The Mopane-1X (marked Well-1X on the map) is one of two wells where drilling started on November 17, 2023. The other one is Mopane-2X (marked Well-2X on the map).
Galp has 80% interest in PEL83, with Custos and Namcor each having 10%.
In Tuesday’s statement, Galp said the first well, Mopane-1X, indicates preliminary signs of hydrocarbon presence.
The statement further said drilling and data acquisition campaigns are underway, making any conclusions premature before operations are completed and results assessed.
In its end-of-year message, Sintana, with a 49% indirect interest in Custos, said the partners initiated a two-well drilling campaign in November, including an optional drill stem test on PEL 83.
Sintana president Robert Bose expected the two-well drilling campaign to be complete by the first quarter of 2024.
Bose also said that Sintana expects substantial exploration and evaluation activities to occur, both on and around their offshore blocks, throughout 2024.
“The numerous catalysts expected in the coming quarters will provide several opportunities to assess further and substantiate the multi-billion-barrel potential of the Orange Basin in Namibia.
“Specifically, for Sintana, we look forward to the progress of drilling and other exploration activities on our blocks, unveiling the quality and opportunity associated with our unmatched position in the heart of the basin,” Bose said.
