A drillship formerly active in the Baleine offshore exploration area off Côte d’Ivoire has arrived off the coast of Namibia, where it is set to conduct single-well drilling for Portuguese energy multinational Galp Energia.
The Santorini, owned by Italian oilfield services company Saipem SpA, is part of a significant investment totaling N$2.1 billion by Galp, following exploratory drilling in January 2023.
Currently stationed off Long Beach between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, the Santorini is designed for ultra-deep drilling in the challenging conditions known to prevail in Namibia’s southern waters.
What distinguishes the Santorini from other drill rigs is its large payload capacity, which reduces the need for frequent land-based supply trips and maintenance.
Galp commenced drilling operations at the Mopane-1X well, part of the Orange Basin that extends across the border with South Africa, followed by the Mopane-2X well in March 2023.
Both wells have encountered significant light oil columns, indicating strong potential for commercial viability.
The Mopane complex is estimated to hold around 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, positioning it as a potentially major discovery in the region.
During testing, the wells achieved flow rates of up to 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, showcasing high productivity.
In addition to drilling, Galp is focused on integrating data from these wells into a reservoir model to enhance its future drilling plans.
The company aims to continue exploring and appraising the Mopane complex, with additional wells scheduled for late 2023 or early 2024.
