Rhino confirms rich gas presence from PEL85 offshore Namibia

The Volans-1X exploration well on Block 2914A that falls under the Petroleum Exploration License 85 (PEL85) offshore Orange Basin has revealed rich-gas condensate bearing reservoirs for Rhino Resources Namibia

The gas resources confirm commercial value of 26m of net pay for partners driving the PEL85 -- Rhino Resources (42.5%), Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%). 

Following the drilling campaign with Northern Ocean’s semi-submersible Deepsea Mira that helped penetrate the Upper Cretaceous target, the reservoir showed excellent quality petrophysical properties and no observed water contact at a total depth of 4,497.5m TVDSS.

Hot shot laboratory analysis on two samples (at the top and base of the reservoir interval) showed a high condensate to gas ratio (CGR) of >140 and a liquid density of around 40° API gravity. Hydrocarbon samples and sidewall cores were collected through intensive wireline logging operations. Laboratory studies will continue to be conducted on the rest of the fluid samples, side wall cores and cuttings collected during the campaign.

As Volans-1X laboratory testing activities continue, the CEO of Rhino, Travis Smithard said, “Rhino, on behalf of the PEL85 JV, are delighted to announce the discovery of a high liquid-yield gas condensate in excellent quality reservoir at the Volans-1X well. This is our third consecutive hydrocarbon discovery on the Block and further enhances our understanding of the sub-surface. This well result opens up an exciting new play fairway within the licence, identifying different reservoir and fluid type in this well from the recent discoveries made at Sagittarius-1X and Capricornus-1X. Rhino, in collaboration with our partners Azule Energy, NAMCOR and Korres will now evaluate the results of the ongoing testing and integrate them into blockwide prospectivity studies.”