Oil and gas supermajor bp has confirmed a significant hydrocarbon discovery at the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, marking the third major find in the region this year. The well encountered 26 meters of net pay in rich gas condensate-bearing reservoirs, with preliminary laboratory analysis indicating a high condensate-to-gas ratio exceeding 140 barrels per million standard cubic feet and a liquid density of approximately 40° API gravity.
The exploration well, drilled using the Northern Ocean’s semi-submersible Deepsea Mira, reached a total depth of 4,497.5 meters and successfully penetrated the Upper Cretaceous target. The reservoir showed excellent petrophysical properties with no observed water contact, according to bp’s announcement.
Located within Petroleum Exploration License 85, the well is operated by Rhino Resources with a 42.5% working interest. Co-venturers include Azule Energy, bp’s 50%-owned joint venture with Eni, which also holds 42.5%, alongside NAMCOR with 10% and Korres Investments with 5%. The Volans-1X well represents 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. The results are currently undergoing further evaluation.
Source: energycapitalpower.com, energy-pedia.com, bp.com