The Galp-operated Avo-2 target in the Mopane-1X well offshore Namibia discovered a significant column of light oil in “high-quality” sands, Galp announced Jan. 26. making this the second find in the license.

The West Hercules drilled, cored and logged the Avo-2 target in the Mopane-1X well in Block 2813, which is under Production Exploration License 83 (PEL83). Mopane-1X is the first well to be drilled in PEL 83, and operations began in November.

The drilling rig is expected to relocate to the Mopane-2X well to evaluate the extent of the Mopane discoveries, followed by a drill stem test (DST) at Mopane-1X.

Galp and its partners will analyze the data to assess commerciality of the discoveries in the Orange Basin.

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.

Galp operates PEL 83 with 80% interest on behalf of partners Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. and NAMCOR (the National Petroleum Company of Namibia) which both hold 10% interest in the block. Sintana Energy holds an indirect 49% interest in Custos.

Sintana PEL 83 Map
PEL 83 is in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia. (Source: Sintana)
Offshore