In a landmark development for Namibia’s burgeoning energy sector, Portuguese energy giant Galp has confirmed that its Mopane discovery offshore the southern coast holds contingent resources of at least 875 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), with further upward revisions expected as data from recent exploration and appraisal wells is analyzed. The find, located in the prolific Orange Basin’s Petroleum Exploration Licence 83 (PEL 83), positions Namibia as a rising player in global hydrocarbon exploration and underscores the country’s potential to become a significant oil and gas producer.
The Mopane-1X exploration well, drilled in early 2024, first unlocked the reservoir’s potential, prompting Galp to immediately follow up with the Mopane-2X well. A drill stem test conducted at Mopane-1X yielded a constrained flow rate of 14,000 boe per day, signaling robust productivity from the reservoir. Both wells, drilled in water depths ranging from 1,200 to 1,900 meters, encountered light oil and gas condensates trapped in high-quality Upper Cretaceous sandstone formations. These reservoirs boast exceptional geological characteristics, including strong porosity, high permeability, and elevated pressures—factors that enhance the feasibility of commercial extraction and long-term production.
Galp’s preliminary assessment of 875 million boe represents a conservative estimate, with the company emphasizing that the figure is likely to rise once comprehensive data from the two newly drilled wells is integrated into resource modeling. The rapid progression from discovery to appraisal underscores Galp’s confidence in the basin’s potential, mirroring earlier successes in the region by industry peers such as TotalEnergies and Shell, whose major finds in nearby blocks have already placed Namibia on the global energy map.
The Orange Basin, stretching across Namibia and South Africa, has gained renown in recent years for its hydrocarbon-rich geology, with Namibia’s portion emerging as a hotspot for deepwater exploration. Galp’s Mopane discovery lies within this strategic corridor, reinforcing the basin’s reputation as a world-class oil province. Industry analysts suggest that the scale of the find could attract further investment into Namibia’s offshore sector, spurring job creation, infrastructure development, and technological transfer.