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.
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.
Recommended Reading
Venture Global Seeks FERC Actions on LNG Projects with Sense of Urgency
2024-02-21 - Venture Global files requests with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Calcasieu Pass 1 and 2 before a potential vacancy on the commission brings approvals to a standstill.
Despite LNG Permitting Risks, Cheniere Expansions Continue
2024-02-28 - U.S.-based Cheniere Energy expects the U.S. market, which exported 86 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG in 2023, will be the first to surpass the 200 mtpa mark—even taking into account a recent pause on approvals related to new U.S. LNG projects.
The Problem with the Pause: US LNG Trade Gets Political
2024-02-13 - Industry leaders worry that the DOE’s suspension of approvals for LNG projects will persuade global customers to seek other suppliers, wreaking havoc on energy security.
Belcher: Election Year LNG ‘Pause’ Will Have Huge Negative Impacts
2024-03-01 - The Biden administration’s decision to pause permitting of LNG projects has damaged the U.S.’ reputation in ways impossible to calculate.
Venture Global Gets FERC Nod to Process Gas for LNG
2024-04-23 - Venture Global’s massive export terminal will change natural gas flows across the Gulf of Mexico but its Plaquemines LNG export terminal may still be years away from delivering LNG to long-term customers.