Meren (formerly Africa Oil) issued a quarterly results update on Aug. 12 on preparations for the Venus oilfield development project in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia.
The company has an indirect interest in Impact Oil & Gas, a partner to operator TotalEnergies in the surrounding Block 2913.
Current plans call for up to 40 subsea wells to be tied back to an FPSO with a production capacity of 160,000/d.
At present, the partners are looking to complete front-end engineering design (FEED) work in the fourth quarter, and to submit the environmental and social impact statement to the Namibian authorities in the same quarter. A final investment decision could follow in the first half of 2026.
In the South African portion of the Orange Basin, Meren holds an 18% interest in Block 3B/4B, also led by TotalEnergies. Following the granting of an environmental authorization last September for exploration activities, the legislative notification and appeals process continues with the regulatory agencies.
The first exploration well on the block could be drilled next year, with the likely target being the Nayla prospect in the northwest of the license area.
In the deepwater Niger Delta Basin offshore Nigeria, Meren is a partner to TotalEnergies in PMLs 2 and 3, containing the producing fields Akpo and Egina. Here the latest exploration drilling campaign finished in April, but drilling should resume next year. The line-up includes an exploration well on the infrastructure-led Akpo Far East near-field prospect and further development wells on Akpo and Egina.
Akpo Far East could contain up to 143.6 MMboe, with the targeted hydrocarbons predicted to be of a similar light, high gas-oil ratio as found in the Akpo Field. A success here could lead to a development via existing subsea production manifolds.
Over the Chevron-operated Agbami Field in PML 52 (Meren 8%), interpretation continues of 4D seismic acquired last year, with rig and long lead items contracting activities progressing for an infill drilling campaign in 2027.