BW Energy has drilled the Kharas-1 appraisal well.

BW Energy has drilled the Kharas-1 appraisal well in the Kudu license area, offshore Namibia, at a total depth of 5,100 m and intersected multiple reservoir intervals

With drilling completed, the well will now be plugged and abandoned in line with the planned programme.

The well has revealed multiple shallow turbidite reservoirs with dry-gas shows, and reservoir properties from these and the acquired whole core are now being evaluated.

Hydrocarbons were encountered in deep inside a fractured volcaniclastic reservoir, pointing to a working petroleum system with condensate and/or light oil. Further analysis is ongoing to determine the extent
of the system and to characterise reservoir properties and appraisal options.

"Kharas-1 achieved its technical objective of testing multiple targets within a single penetration and delivered valuable geological, geochemical and petrophysical data. The results also confirm, for the first time, the presence of liquid hydrocarbons within the Kudu block and contribute to our understanding of the broader petroleum system. The reservoir complexity necessitates further appraisal to assess its potential. Our forward programme will focus on further high value targets based on the presence of liquid hydrocarbons, as well as gas and the learnings from Kharas-1A," said CEO Carl Arnet.

Corcel will be initiating a significant data integration campaign with BGP.

Corcel Plc will commence 2D seismic acquisition operations in the KON-16 Block onshore Angola in partnership with BGP Geophysical Limitada, LDA, and BGP INC., China National Petroleum Corporation (BGP), following the ministerial approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The new set of 326 line-km seismic data that will be acquired by BGP will add to the 2,589 line-km of good quality 2D data acquired in 2010 and reprocessed in 2025. This will boost seismic coverage from the KON-16 area by a starking 227%, ensuring fine subsurface imaging and prospect definition.

Before KON-16's status can be declared drill-ready, Corcel will be initiating a significant data integration campaign with BGP, starting with the legacy 1970's 2D data, right through the modern 2010 2D seismic data (which was recently reprocessed), to the 2024 eFTG data. While current modern 2D line spacing averages >14 km in the areas of interest, identifying prospectivity, the partners are anticipating a closer 2D line spacing for drilling to begin.

Set for early 2026, initial results from the seismic processing is expected by Q3 2026. 

As the company is anticipating drilling a high-impact well within KON-16, Richard Lane, Corcel COO, said, "Receiving approval to conduct both seismic acquisition and exploration drilling activities within the KON-16 block is a major milestone for Corcel, setting us on the path to drilling a high-impact exploration well. We are also very excited to have signed the seismic acquisition contract with BGP - another major milestone - marking Corcel's first significant operational activity as operator of the KON-16 block. The mobilisation of the seismic team and the imminent start of the seismic program signal the real start of on-the-ground operations. This is an important step for Corcel as we move from planning to execution, and we look forward to keeping shareholders updated as activity ramps up."

The software will be rapidly screening and interrogating data acquired beyond 20,000 sq kms. (Image source:

Following a fresh batch of large-scale 3D multi-client seismic surveys acquired in collaboration with Shearwater from the Orange Basin offshore Namibia, Searcher has entered into a strategic partnership with Eliis to leverage the PaleoScan software for screening and interpretation of the datasets 

The software will be rapidly screening and interrogating data acquired beyond 20,000 sq kms of the prospective Orange Basin region. Its patented Relative Geological Time (RGT) model and AI-assisted functionality automates interpretation workflow to an extent, accelerating stratigraphic modelling for valuable geological insights with greater speed and precision, which is ideal for frontier exploration projects. Using these tools will go a long way in terms of  de-risking new play fairways in the area.

“We are partnering with Eliis to provide the industry with detailed insights into the evolution of the prospective depositional systems, enabling prospect high-grading and shortening the exploration cycle,” said Karyna Rodriguez, VP Global New Ventures at Searcher.

“We are excited to work alongside Searcher on this important project,” said François Lafferriere, COO at Eliis. “The Orange Basin represents a frontier of hydrocarbon potential, and PaleoScan™’s unique approach to seismic interpretation will provide valuable support in screening and evaluating this high-quality dataset. This collaboration underscores our dedication to advancing geoscience technology and helping our partners accelerate their understanding of complex subsurface geology."

The promising geological features revealed in the initial screening include clearly defined large basin floor fan systems from the Cretaceous period, located above the Aptian source rock. Well-defined channels and evidence of reworking by contourite currents were also identified.

The project aims to deliver actionable insight. (Image source: Searcher)

Ahead of the EG Ronda 2026 licensing round set to be held in Equatorial Guinea, geoscience data solutions provider, Searcher, has launched a major seismic reprocessing initiative covering 8,500 km of offshore data from the region

Promising highest-resolution imaging with fast-track results available immediately and final deliverables scheduled for release before the round opens in April 2026, bidders can expect convenience when it comes to de-risking efforts. 

As the government prepares to offer up to 24 blocks in the upcoming licensing round, these will be backed by Searcher's latest broadband pre-stack depth migration (PSDM) and full waveform inversion (FWI) techniques-driven reprocessed legacy datasets, ensuring high-definition view of the subsurface for confident decision-making.

“This project is about more than reprocessing data—it’s about delivering actionable insight,” said Alan Hopping, Managing Director of Searcher. “By combining cutting-edge imaging with fast-track delivery, we’re giving explorers a head start and helping Equatorial Guinea showcase the true potential of its offshore basins.”

The initiative aligns with the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons’ goal of revitalising the energy sector and stimulating new exploration activity. With results available ahead of the licensing round, Searcher’s work provides a powerful foundation for evaluating opportunities and unlocking the next phase of offshore discovery.