TotalEnergies has resumed exploration drilling on Block 2913B with the spudding of the Tamboti-1X exploration well on October 20, targeting an estimated 1 billion barrels.
The drilling activities are conducted using the DeepSea Mira rig, managed by Odfjell Drilling, situated north of the Venus accumulation and near the Mangetti-1X discovery.
The rig is an advanced CS 60 E harsh-environment semi-submersible, designed and delivered by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.
These operations commenced just before Galp’s second exploration and appraisal campaign in the Orange Basin, led by Saipem’s Santorini drillship. The basin has been a site of significant discoveries, with successful findings during the first campaign in license PEL 83 off the Namibian coast, where Shell and TotalEnergies have also made notable discoveries.
“The news from our investee, AOC, about the restart of exploration drilling on Block 2913B, targeting the 1 billion barrel Tamboti-1X prospect to the north of the large Venus accumulation, and with potential for further drilling to the south of Venus, is very encouraging,” said Gerard Walsh, Chairman of Westmount Energy.
Westmount’s investee, Africa Oil Corp. (AOC), holds a 32.4% interest in Impact Oil & Gas.
“This activity confirms our belief in the Orange Basin’s potential as a major emerging hydrocarbon province. Blocks 2913B and 2912 hold a prospect inventory that could add significantly to the resources already identified at Venus and Mangetti. This exploration is progressing alongside the Phase 1 development plan for Venus, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.”
This update follows AOC’s recent completion of a farm-down of its interests in Blocks 2912 and 2913B with TotalEnergies.
AOC received approximately US$99 million in back costs and retained a 9.5% stake in each block.
