
The West Hercules drilled the Mopane-1X discovery well. (Source: Sintana)
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
Rising Phoenix Capital Launches $20MM Mineral Fund
2025-02-05 - Rising Phoenix Capital said the La Plata Peak Income Fund focuses on acquiring producing royalty interests that provide consistent cash flow without drilling risk.
Murphy Shares Drop on 4Q Miss, but ’25 Plans Show Promise
2025-02-02 - Murphy Oil’s fourth-quarter 2024 output missed analysts’ expectations, but analysts see upside with a robust Eagle Ford Shale drilling program and the international E&P’s discovery offshore Vietnam.
Japan’s JAPEX Backs Former TreadStone Execs’ New E&P Peoria
2025-03-26 - Japanese firm JAPEX U.S. Corp. made an equity investment in Peoria Resources, led by former executives from TreadStone Energy Partners.
Trump Nominates E&P Advocate Sgamma to Head Bureau of Land Management
2025-02-12 - If confirmed by the Senate, Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, would oversee management of approximately 245 million acres of surface lands.
Kimmeridge Texas Gas Prices $500MM in Senior Notes Offering
2025-01-09 - Kimmeridge Texas Gas said the senior unsecured notes will be used to repay a portion of outstanding revolver borrowings and support the buildout of the company.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.