New oil discovery at Mopane-3X cements Namibia’s Orange Basin credentials
A significant new oil and gas has been discovered at the Mopane-3X well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, operated by a subsidiary of Portugal’s Galp Energia, with its Namibian partners Custos and Namcor, who each hold a 10% working interest in Petroleum Exploration License 83 (PEL 83).
The discovery – which was made during the ongoing second exploration and appraisal campaign on PEL 83 - solidifies the region’s status as one of the world’s most promising hydrocarbon exploration areas, Custos said in a statement.
“Drilled, cored, and logged successfully, the Mopane-3X well (Well #5) was spudded on January 2, 2025, and is located 18 kilometers from the Mopane-1X well. It targeted two key stacked prospects, AVO-10 and AVO-13, along with a deeper sand layer, in the southeastern section of the Mopane complex at a water depth of approximately 1,200 meters,” the statement said.
“Preliminary findings confirm substantial light oil and gas-condensate columns in high-quality sandstone reservoirs within AVO-10. Additionally, light oil columns were identified in AVO-13 and the deeper sand formation, also within high-quality sandstones.”
Reservoir log measurements indicate excellent porosities, high pressures, and strong permeabilities. Initial fluid samples show low oil viscosity with minimal CO2 and H2S concentrations, and these samples have been sent for further laboratory analysis. The higher-than-expected pressures and early results from Mopane-3X indicate additional exploration and appraisal opportunities in the southeastern Mopane complex.
Data from the well will be integrated into the reservoir model to guide future development strategies. Meanwhile, the proprietary 3D seismic acquisition campaign remains on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2025, with subsequent processing of the collected data set to follow.
“These additional discoveries in an entirely new section of Mopane further demonstrate the scale and quality of the complex. An emerging clarity on the multi-phase potential of Mopane is underpinned by this world class asset,” said Knowledge Katti, chairman and CEO of Custos. “We congratulate our joint venture partners on another safe and successful outing. We are uniquely positioned at the heart of this hydrocarbon province.” he added.
The discovery – which was made during the ongoing second exploration and appraisal campaign on PEL 83 - solidifies the region’s status as one of the world’s most promising hydrocarbon exploration areas, Custos said in a statement.
“Drilled, cored, and logged successfully, the Mopane-3X well (Well #5) was spudded on January 2, 2025, and is located 18 kilometers from the Mopane-1X well. It targeted two key stacked prospects, AVO-10 and AVO-13, along with a deeper sand layer, in the southeastern section of the Mopane complex at a water depth of approximately 1,200 meters,” the statement said.
“Preliminary findings confirm substantial light oil and gas-condensate columns in high-quality sandstone reservoirs within AVO-10. Additionally, light oil columns were identified in AVO-13 and the deeper sand formation, also within high-quality sandstones.”
Reservoir log measurements indicate excellent porosities, high pressures, and strong permeabilities. Initial fluid samples show low oil viscosity with minimal CO2 and H2S concentrations, and these samples have been sent for further laboratory analysis. The higher-than-expected pressures and early results from Mopane-3X indicate additional exploration and appraisal opportunities in the southeastern Mopane complex.
Data from the well will be integrated into the reservoir model to guide future development strategies. Meanwhile, the proprietary 3D seismic acquisition campaign remains on schedule for completion in the first quarter of 2025, with subsequent processing of the collected data set to follow.
“These additional discoveries in an entirely new section of Mopane further demonstrate the scale and quality of the complex. An emerging clarity on the multi-phase potential of Mopane is underpinned by this world class asset,” said Knowledge Katti, chairman and CEO of Custos. “We congratulate our joint venture partners on another safe and successful outing. We are uniquely positioned at the heart of this hydrocarbon province.” he added.
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