Partners continue to integrate and study the newly acquired data. (Image source: Sintana Energy)

The Mopane-2A well on PEL83-governed blocks 2813A and 2814B in the Orange Basin, Namibia has encountered good hydrocarbons presence following drilling and logging by operator Galp Energia 

Other partners in these blocks are the National Petroleum Corportaion of Namibia - NAMCOR and Custos Energy, holding 10% interestes each.

Spud early December 2024, hydrocarbons were reported from Mopane-2A from not just one but two reservoirs; AVO-3 revealed a column of gas-condensate with a thin net pay in the reservoir sweet spot, while a smaller reservoir from AVO-4 saw a column of light oil.

Both findings appeared with good quality sands, confirming easy porosities and permeabilities, high pressures and low fluid viscosity characteristics, similar to the results from Mopane-1A appraisal well. The presence of CO₂ reported was minimum, and there was no H₂S concentrations. Like the other Mopane wells, this area too had no water contacts. 

Data integratration 

As the partners continue to integrate and study the newly acquired data to understand the commercial viability of these discoveries, the drillship sails ahead to the Mopane-3X exploration well location which includes AVO-10 & AVO-13. 

Even before the drilling of additional exploration and appraisal wells began, the Mopane complex already held more than 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

“The ongoing success at Mopane is emblematic of the world class scale and quality of the complex. We look forward to further exploration and appraisal activities anticipated over coming months to further unveil the unmatched quality of our position at the heart of Namibia’s Orange Basin.” said Robert Bose, chief executive officer of Sintana Energy, which holds a 49% indirect interest in Custos Energy. 

Sirte has deployed advanced reservoir mapping-whil-drilling technology. (Image source: NOC Libya)

The Zelten oilfield onshore Libya revealed exceptional flowrate following a successful drilling campaign by Sirte Oil and Gas Production and Manufacturing Company

More than 2,300 barrels per day of water-free crude oil was seen from the horizontal Well C353H that extended approximately 900 ft. Sirte had deployed the advanced Geosteering HD real-time, reservoir mapping-while-drilling technology for the campaign. 

As Libya's National Oil Corporation continues to prioritise production optimisation, Sirte has been seeing record count since 2007 with 103,000 bopd. 

Export opportunities

Libya has also remained a much acclaimed destination for export opportunities. Speaking at LEES 2024, Vaclav Bartuska, special envoy for energy security from the Czech Republic, had emphasised that 'for decades to come, the world will need oil and gas. Libya can help with that'.

Italy-based oil major Eni too has big ambitions in Libya. 

The FPSO and FSO units are being deployed. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Eni inches closer towards its production goals offshore Ivory Coast as Baleine Phase 2 begins, marking a crucial step towards 60,000 barrels of oil per day and 70 million cubic feet of associated gas (equivalent to 2 mn cu/m)

Export will be initiated once the Petrojarl Kong floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit is in place alongside the floating storage and offloading unit (FSO), Yamoussoukro. The revitalisation of these units made possible a smooth project delivery. Pipelines from Phase 1 will be deployed to direct the entire processed gas from the project to supply the local energy market.

Exemplary in sustainability

The Baleine Upstream project is exemplary in terms of sustainability as it marks Africa's first net zero emission project (Scope 1 and 2). With government support, the project has seen the deployment of advanced technologies that brings down carbon footprint of operations. 

Earlier this month, Eni had acquired an additional four blocks offshore Ivory Coast.The company has big ambitions on the region, including tripling output by 2027. 

Bonga North is a significant deepwater project for Shell. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has reached final investment decision (FID) on Bonga North offshore Nigeria

A significant deepwater project for Shell's integrated gas and upstream business, Bonga North is said to hold approximately 300 million barrels of oil equivalent. The company's plan involves drilling, completing and starting up 16 wells (8 production and 8 water injection wells), besides modifying the existing Bonga Main FPSO and the installation of new subsea hardware tied back to the FPSO. This extensive strategy will potentially help realise a production target of 110,000 bopd by the end of the decade. 

In February, Shell achieved well completion in Bonga North West Field with Optime Subsea's remotely operated control systems (ROCS). 

Maintaining production

“This is another significant investment, which will help us to maintain stable liquids production from our advantaged upstream portfolio,” said Zoe Yujnovich, integrated gas and upstream director, Shell, on the Bonga North development.

The company had sold its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, SPDC, in the beginning of this year, for a more concentrated approach to its integrated gas and upstream sector.