New discovery made in Namibia’s Orange Basin
BP confirmed the preliminary results of the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin. Petroleum Exploration License 85 (PEL 85), where the well was drilled, is operated by Rhino Resources, which holds a 42.5% ownership stake in the license. BP and Eni are joint owners of the Azule Energy JV, which also holds a 42.5% interest. NAMCOR (10%) and Korres Investments (5%) are the other owners.
The Volans-1X exploration well, drilled using the Northern Ocean’s semisubmersible Deepsea Mira, reached a total depth of 4,497.5 m true vertical depth subsea and penetrated the Upper Cretaceous target. The well encountered 26 m of net pay in rich gas condensate-bearing reservoirs, with the reservoir showing excellent petrophysical properties and no observed water contact.
The Volans-1X well marks the third significant hydrocarbon discovery in 2025 for Azule Energy partners, following the Capricornus-1X light oil find in Namibia and the Gajajeira-01 gas discovery in Angola.
