Galp makes oil and gas discovery in Namibia’s block PEL83

Portuguese multinational energy company Galp has made a hydrocarbon discovery in Namibia. Galp encountered light oil and gas-condensate at the Mopane-1A appraisal well in block PEL83.

Drilled on 23 October, the well revealed hydrocarbons in high-quality reservoir sands with favourable characteristics, including excellent porosity, high permeability, high pressure, low oil viscosity, minimal carbon dioxide and no hydrogen sulphide concentrations.

This discovery, together with findings from the Mopane-1X and Mopane-2X wells, confirms the extension and quality of the AVO-1 reservoir.

“Galp and its partners will continue to analyse and integrate the newly acquired data while advancing planned exploration and appraisal activities.

These include additional exploration and appraisal wells, as well as a high-resolution proprietary 3D seismic campaign scheduled to commence in December 2024,” the company said.

The Mopane-1A well is the first of four planned wells designed to evaluate the Mopane discovery further, and provide crucial insights into its size and quality.

The ongoing appraisal campaign is being conducted in blocks 2813A and 2814B, within PEL83, and is expected to span approximately three months.

Galp initiated drilling activities at the Mopane-1X well in November 2023, followed by the Mopane-2X well.

Both wells encountered significant light oil columns, estimated to contain at least 10 billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent.

Testing at these wells revealed flow rates of up to 14 000 barrels of oil per day, underscoring their strong commercial viability.

Galp operates the project with an 80% interest, alongside partners Namcor and Custos Energy, which each hold a 10% stake.