Impact Oil & Gas, a privately-owned, Africa-focused, exploration company today announced the imminent commencement of a multi-well drilling programme in Namibia, following the Venus light oil discovery in Block 2913B (PEL 56).

Highlights

Multi-well programme in Namibia due to commence before the end of February, targeting up to four wells (including the re-entry of the Venus -1X discovery well, in Block 2913B), to appraise the Venus discovery and to investigate a potential westerly extension of Venus, the Nara prospect on Block 2912.

• Venus -1A, on Block 2913B, will be the first well to be drilled, using the Tungsten Explorer drillship, and is the first appraisal well on the Venus discovery. This will be followed by a drill stem test using the Deepsea Mira.
• Upon completion of the Venus -1A drill stem test, the Venus -1X exploration well, also on Block 2913B, will be re-entered using the Deepsea Mira to conduct a second drill stem test.
• Nara -1X, an exploration well on Block 2912, will then be drilled and flow tested by the Tungsten Explorer.
• If Nara -1X proves successful, the Nara -1A appraisal well could then be drilled in Block 2912 and flow tested.

Impact holds a 20% working interest in Block 2913B (PEL 56) and an 18.89% working interest in the adjacent Block 2912 (PEL 91).

“Following a transformational 2022 for Impact, we are excited to see both the Tungsten Explorer and the Deepsea Mira embark on this extensive drilling programme, designed to accelerate the appraisal of the Venus field and drill the first exploration well in our neighbouring licence, Block 2912. This programme will provide vital information that will hopefully enable the joint venture to press ahead with development”. Siraj Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Impact, commented.

Appraisal of Venus discovery in Block 2913B (PEL 56)

The Venus discovery is a world class light oil and associated gas field, located in the Orange Basin, approximately 290 kilometres off the coast of southern Namibia, and in water depth of approximately 3,000 metres. The well was drilled to a total depth of 6,296 metres, by the Maersk Voyager drillship, and encountered a high quality light oil-bearing sandstone reservoir of Lower Cretaceous age.

Drilling of Venus -1A, the first appraisal well on the Venus discovery, will be located approximately 13 kilometres to the north of the Venus -1X discovery well and drilled using the Tungsten Explorer drillship. The Deepsea Mira will then be used to conduct a drill stem test at this location.

The Deepsea Mira will then re-enter and side-track the Venus -1X well and conduct a flow test. The objective of this programme is to further evaluate the Venus reservoir and deliver dynamic data.

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 (“TotalEnergies”) who holds, a 40% working interest, and QatarEnergy and NAMCOR respectively hold a 30% and 10% working interest in PEL 56.

Exploration and potential Appraisal of Block 2912 (PEL 91)

Block 2912 may contain a highly material westerly extension of the Venus field. Operations by TotalEnergies during 2023, on behalf of the Joint Venture, are designed to explore and, if successful test, this potential extension of the Venus accumulation into Block 2912 and provide an understanding of the structure and reservoir quality.

TotalEnergies will commence drilling operations in Block 2912 during mid-2023. Exploration well Nara -1X will be drilled and flow tested by the Tungsten Explorer and, if successful, an appraisal well, Nara -1A, will then be drilled and flow tested.

Impact (through its wholly owned subsidiary, Impact Oil and Gas Namibia (Pty) Ltd) also holds an 18.89% working interest in the adjacent Block 2912 (PEL 91), where it is also partnered with TotalEnergies (Operator, with 37.78%), QatarEnergy (28.33%) and NAMCOR (15%).

“This exciting and active 2023 work programme is aimed at proving the flow potential of the Venus reservoir, and investigate a potentially material extension into the adjacent licence. If successful, it will result in two potentially fully appraised early production centres, one on Block 2913B and the second on Block 2912”. Phil Birch, Exploration Director of Impact, commented.

About Block 2913B, offshore Namibia

Petroleum Exploration Licence 56, Block 2913B, is located offshore southern Namibia and covers approximately 8,215km² in water depths up to 3,000m. Impact entered the licence as Operator in 2014, acquiring 2D, then 3D seismic data which defined the Venus prospect. In 2017, Impact and NAMCOR were joined by TotalEnergies, bringing with it significant deep-water drilling expertise to the Joint Venture, and in 2019 QatarEnergy joined the Joint Venture.

About Block 2912, offshore Namibia Petroleum Exploration Licence 91, Block 2912, is located offshore southern Namibia, adjacent to, but outboard of, PEL 56 and covers approximately 7,884km² in water depths between 3,000 and 3,900m. Impact joined TotalEnergies and NAMCOR on the licence in 2019, as did QatarEnergy.