The 4,300 sq km high-end data set will bring valuable insights. (Image source: Viridien)

As Angola gears up for its upcoming licensing round, Viridien has announced a new multi-client seismic reimaging programme over Angola’s highly prospective offshore Block 22

The 4,300 sq km high-end data set will bring valuable insight into underexplored structures along the Atlantic Hinge zone, following the same trend as the proven Cameia and Golfinho fields. Fast-track results are scheduled for delivery in Q1 2026 and final products in Q3/Q4 2026.

The Block 22 data set will be reimaged by using Viridien's latest proven proprietary technologies, including time-lag FWI, Q-FWI, Q-Kirchhoff and advanced deghosting and demultiple. This data will complement its 2,900 sq km of data over nearby block 20/11, giving operators access to a combined regional coverage of over 7,200 sq km of ultramodern broadband PSDM data to conduct regional pre-salt and post-salt play evaluation in the Kwanza Basin.

Dechun Lin, Head of Earth Data, Viridien, said, “Viridien is delighted to continue its strong relationship with Angola's national energy agency, ANPG (Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis), and longstanding presence in Angola by committing to this new reimaging project which will support their important upcoming licensing round. We have the most modern 3D broadband seismic data available offshore Angola and will continue to generate value from it to provide critical support for industry decision-making and help to increase exploration success.”

TGS work is backed by modern seismic and aeromagnetic library. (Image source: TGS)

Energy intelligence firm, TGS, has extended its agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MOPMR) to the continued rights to market and license geophysical data covering Somalia’s offshore basins

The agreement will support TGS' vision to aid the progress of underexplored regions with its comprehensive regional data library for the evaluation of significant exploration potential. The company assures operators of the reliability of its datasets in assessing investment opportunities across numerous available offshore blocks.

In Somalia, TGS is exclusively offering valuable insights into more than 46,000-line kms of modern 2D seismic data and beyond 50,000 kms of aeromagnetic data. The data reflecting the region's geological framework and prospectivity is backed by the company's cutting-edge acquisition technology and advanced imaging solutions.

“This extension further underscores our long-term commitment to the Federal Republic of Somalia and its offshore licensing programme,” said David Hajovsky, executive vice president multi-client at TGS. “With access to our exclusive, modern seismic and aeromagnetic library we are ready to support the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources as they open up one of the world’s last frontier hydrocarbon provinces.”

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."