TotalEnergies targets second chance at Namibia exploration glory...

TotalEnergies targets second chance at Namibia exploration glory in ultra-deep block

"TotalEnergies has firmed up a plan to drill another ultra-deepwater exploration well in Namibia close to its Venus oil discovery, but in a block in which it has only drilled one previous probe. All but one of the exploration and appraisal wells drilled by the French supermajor in its prolific Orange basin acreage have been situated in Block 2913B — also known as Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 56 — making the Venus, Mangetti and Tamboti discoveries. The only exception was the unsuccessful Nara-1X probe which was drilled in 2023 on Block 2912 — covered by PEL 91 — seeking a western extension of Venus.

Late this year, TotalEnergies intends to return to explore this block, which lies in water depths between 3000 and 3900 metres, targeting a major Albian fan prospect called Olympe. Commenting on the plan in TotalEnergies fourth-quarter results webcast on 5 February, chief executive Patrick Pouyanne told analysts that Olympe is an “interesting exploration prospect to drill” and that the aim is to spud the probe either at the end of 2025 or at the beginning of 2026.

Impact Oil & Gas, one of the supermajor’s partners in PEL 91, said the semi-submersible Deepsea Mira is expected to drill Olympe at the end of 2025. The rig is currently drilling the Marula-1X exploration well in the southern part of 2913B, aiming for Albian-aged sandstones in the Marula fan complex. Marula-1X was spudded on 3 February. Impact said a successful well here “has the potential to unlock further exploration targets across the south, which is an area lying at the heart of the prolific Kudu source-rock kitchen.” Pouyanne told analysts that Marula is “a big prospect”. TotalEnergies has a 47.2% stake in PEL 91 and is partnered by QatarEnergy on 28.3% and state-owned Namcor on 15%, with Impact Oil & Gas holding a 9.5% interest."