bp has confirmed the preliminary results of the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, according to a statement by operator Rhino Resources.
The well, located in Petroleum Exploration Licence 85 (PEL85), is operated by Rhino Resources, which holds a 42.5% working interest. Co-venturers include Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%). bp holds a 50% interest in Azule Energy.
bp said the Volans-1X well was drilled using the Northern Ocean’s Deepsea Mira semi-submersible rig and reached a total depth of 4,497.5 metres true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS).
The oil major said the well successfully penetrated the Upper Cretaceous target, encountering 26 metres of net pay in rich gas condensate-bearing reservoirs.
“The reservoir shows excellent petrophysical properties with no observed water contact,” bp said.
Initial laboratory analysis according to bp, of two samples indicated a high condensate-to-gas ratio (CGR) of more than 140 barrels per million standard cubic feet (bbl/mmscf), with a liquid density of approximately 40° API gravity.
The results according to bp are currently undergoing further evaluation.
bp said the Volans-1X well represents the third significant hydrocarbon discovery in 2025 for Azule Energy and its partners, following the Capricornus-1X light oil discovery in Namibia and the Gajajeira-01 gas find in Angola.
bp added that the discovery contributes to its global exploration success this year, with eleven discoveries recorded across several basins, including the Far South discovery in the Gulf of America and well 1-BP-13-SPS at the Bumerangue block in Brazil’s Santos Basin, where the company holds 100% participation.
