Energy firm ExxonMobil has announced that it will increase its exploration acreage in Namibia with the addition of approximately seven million net acres (28,000 sq km)
ExxonMobil has signed an agreement with the government of Namibia and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) for blocks 1710 and 1810, and farm-in agreements with NAMCOR for blocks 1711 and 1811A.
The blocks extend from the shoreline to about 135 miles (215 km) offshore Namibia in water depths up to 13,000f (4,000m). ExxonMobil plans to begin exploration activities in 2019, including the acquisition of seismic data and analysis.
Mike Cousins, senior vice-president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil, “These agreements provide ExxonMobil with an opportunity to explore for hydrocarbons using advanced technology in the frontier Namibe basin. We will employ our significant upstream experience and technological expertise and work in close collaboration with NAMCOR in exploring these blocks.”
ExxonMobil will operate blocks 1710 and 1810 and hold a 90 per cent interest; NAMCOR will hold a 10 per cent interest. ExxonMobil will assign five per cent of its interest to a local Namibian company.
ExxonMobil will be the operator of blocks 1711 and 1811A and will hold an 85 per cent interest. NAMCOR will retain a 15 per cent interest.
ExxonMobil also holds a 40 per cent interest in the PEL 82 license offshore Namibia, comprising about 2.8mn gross acres (11,500 sq km).
