Africa Oil has noted Impact Oil and Gas disclosure on positive drill stem test (“DST”) results for the Venus-1X well, the major light oil discovery on Block 2913B. The Company also has further provided update on exploration and appraisal activities on Block 2913B and 2912, both located in the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia.

Block 2913B

The Venus discovery is a world class light oil and associated gas field, located in the Orange Basin, off the coast of southern Namibia. The Venus-1X well was drilled in 2022 and encountered high-quality light oil-bearing sandstone reservoir of Lower Cretaceous age. Following this discovery, preparations were made to side-track and perform a DST of the oil bearing reservoirs using the Deepsea Mira rig. The DST program began in early September and has now been concluded, with positive DST results.

The Venus-1A appraisal well, located approximately 13km northwest of the Venus-1X discovery well, was successfully drilled to a total depth of 6,146m, cored and logged using the Tungsten Explorer drillship. The Deepsea Mira rig will re-enter Venus-1A imminently to undertake a DST program.

The Tungsten Explorer drillship that was recently operating on Block 2912 will mobilize shortly to drill the Mangetti-1X well on Block 2913B, targeting a prospect located to the north of the Venus structure with the drilling expected to commence in October 2023.

Block 2912

The Nara-1X well is located approximately 30km northwest of the Venus-1X well and was drilled to a total depth of 6,181m using the Tungsten Explorer drillship. A full wireline logging program was completed, and a core taken. However, the Nara-1X well was not flow tested as it was deemed non-commercial. The Joint Venture is continuing to evaluate the results of Nara-1X.

Africa Oil holds a 31.0% shareholding in Impact and has an effective interest of 6.2% in Block 2913B and an effective interest of 5.9% in Block 2912.

Impact (through its wholly owned subsidiary, Impact Oil and Gas Namibia (Pty) Ltd) holds a 20% working interest in Block 2913B (PEL 56). PEL 56 is operated by TotalEnergies EP Namibia B.V which holds, a 40% working interest, and QatarEnergy and NAMOR respectively hold a 30% and 10% working interest in PEL 56.

Impact, through the same subsidiary, also holds an 18.89% working interest in Block 2912 (PEL 91), where it is partnered with TotalEnergies (Operator, with 37.78%), QatarEnergy (28.33%) and NAMCOR (15%).
“The successful Venus-1X DST program is a major milestone in the Venus campaign and, if confirmed by Venus-1A DST results, supports the commercial development of this world-class light oil discovery. It is important to highlight that the opportunity here is not just about one discovery, and we expect that further work will be done to mature large-scale targets already identified on Block 2193B, including those to the south of Venus. We have an exciting work program ahead of us and together with our other interests in the Orange Basin, we have a very exciting and attractive opportunity set,” Africa Oil President and CEO Dr. Roger Tucker commented.