Rhino Resources has confirmed that the oil-bearing sandstone reservoir discovered at Capricornus extends across the accumulation, as established by its Capricornus-1A appraisal well, which established pressure communication with the original discovery, providing one of the strongest indications yet of the field’s commercial potential.
The appraisal well, drilled on Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 85 in Namibia’s Orange Basin, intersected a 46-metre gross reservoir interval and confirmed that the oil-bearing sandstone is hydraulically connected to the reservoir encountered at the Capricornus-1X discovery well.
The result represents a significant milestone in the appraisal programme, as confirming reservoir continuity is critical to determining the size, recoverability and future development potential of an offshore oil field.
Rhino, which operates PEL 85 with a 42.5% working interest, spudded the Capricornus-1A well on 2 May using the Saipem 12000 drillship in 1,285 metres of water. The well reached a total measured depth of 4,818 metres on 11 June, with drilling completed safely and without incident.
In addition to intersecting the reservoir, the company recovered a representative core from the main reservoir section and acquired a comprehensive suite of wireline logs and formation evaluation data.
Preliminary analysis of downhole pressure measurements confirmed that the oil-bearing sandstone encountered in Capricornus-1A is in pressure communication with the reservoir discovered by Capricornus-1X.
Rhino chief executive officer Travis Smithard said the appraisal well had substantially improved the joint venture’s understanding of the reservoir.
“The Capricornus-1A well has delivered important information that advances our understanding of the morphology of the Capricornus reservoir system. Confirmation of pressure communication with Capricornus-1X provides evidence of reservoir continuity across the accumulation and increases our drilling confidence as we continue to advance the appraisal of the Capricornus discovery.”
The well also penetrated deeper geological intervals that were not encountered during the original discovery, providing new information on the basin’s subsurface architecture.
“The well has also provided critical information on deeper geological intervals that were not encountered at Capricornus-1X, improving our understanding of how subsurface structures are defining the play fairways across the licence area.”
The newly acquired core samples, pressure data and wireline information will now be integrated with datasets from previous wells across PEL 85 to refine the geological model and guide the next phase of appraisal and exploration drilling.
“Together with the extensive datasets gathered from our previous discoveries, these results provide further insights for our part of the Orange Basin and will help inform the next phase of appraisal drilling across the Capricornus accumulation and additional exploration targets across PEL 85,” Smithard said.
Capricornus is one of Rhino’s key discoveries in the Orange Basin, where successive oil finds have positioned Namibia among the world’s most active offshore exploration provinces. The latest appraisal results are expected to increase confidence in the reservoir’s continuity as the joint venture advances towards defining the size and commercial viability of the accumulation.
PEL 85 is operated by Rhino Resources with a 42.5% interest, alongside Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%) and Korres Investments (5%).
