NAMIBIA: TotalEnergies Spuds Venus-1X exploration well in offshore Block 2913B

Block 2913B JV partner Impact Oil & Gas Limited has announced the spud of the Venus-1X offshore exploration well in Namibia Block 2913B (PEL 56).

The well is being drilled in 3,000m water depth by the Maersk Voyager drillship.

Petroleum Exploration Licence 56, Block 2913B, is located offshore southern Namibia and covers approximately 8,215km² in water depths up to 3,000 metres.

Siraj Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Impact, commented: “This is an exciting moment for Impact and our shareholders. Impact, together with our partners in the Government of Namibia, have been working to mature and drill the Venus prospect since 2014. Venus-1X is a world-class, basin opening well which, if successful, could be transformative for Namibia.”

Impact holds a 20% interest in Block 2913B, was joined by TotalEnergies as operator in 2017, bringing significant deep-water drilling expertise to the Joint Venture, and in 2019 by QatarEnergy. TotalEnergies holds a 40% interest in Block 2913B, QatarEnergy holds a 30% interest, NAMCOR, the Namibian state oil company, holds a 10% interest.

Impact also holds an 18.89% working interest in the adjacent Block 2912, where it is partnered with TotalEnergies (Operator 37.78%), QatarEnergy (28.33%) and NAMCOR (15%).

This, together with the adjacent Block 2912, are held through its wholly owned subsidiary, Impact Oil and Gas Namibia (PTY) Ltd. Both blocks are operated by TotalEnergies EP Namibia B.V.; a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies.