The Noble Venturer drillship is set to dock in Walvis Bay next week as it prepares to commence drilling operations for Rhino Resources on Block PEL-85.
The campaign will focus on two key prospects, Volans-1 and Sagittarius-1, with operations scheduled to last a minimum of 100 days.
The advanced seventh-generation Samsung 96-K drillship, built in 2014, boasts capabilities to operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drill as deep as 40,000 feet. It accommodates a crew of 230, providing a robust foundation for this high-profile exploration effort.
The drilling follows the approval of Rhino Resources Namibia Ltd.’s Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, greenlighting the drilling of 10 exploration and appraisal wells off the country’s southern coast.
Blake Denton, Noble’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Contracts, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the significance of returning to Namibian waters after the groundbreaking Venus discovery for TotalEnergies by the Noble Voyager drillship.
“We’re very proud of our Noble Venturer crew, whose efficiency enabled the early completion of our campaign with Tullow and service partners. This achievement has opened new opportunities to collaborate with Rhino Resources and Trident Energy,” Denton said.
The drilling campaign is projected to inject an estimated N$1.8 billion (US$94 million) into the local economy, particularly benefiting communities in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
Monthly expenditures of approximately N$70 million (US$3.75 million) will encompass hotels, accommodation, logistics, and fuel services, creating substantial economic opportunities for local businesses.
In addition to drilling, related exploration activities such as vertical seismic profiling (VSP), well testing, and well abandonment will also take place in License Block 2914A, with operations expected to begin in late 2024.
