BP Strikes Gas Condensate in Namibia’s Orange Basin

Core Insights - BP has confirmed the preliminary results of the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia's Orange Basin, marking a significant hydrocarbon success in a key frontier region [1][7] Exploration Details - The Volans-1X well, drilled by Rhino Resources using the Deepsea Mira semi-submersible rig, reached a total depth of 4,497.5 meters and successfully intersected its Upper Cretaceous target, encountering 26 meters of net pay in gas condensate-bearing reservoirs with excellent petrophysical characteristics and no water contact [2] - Initial lab analyses of two samples from the well indicate a high condensate-to-gas ratio (CGR) exceeding 140 bbl/mmscf, with liquid density near 40° API, suggesting the presence of light, valuable condensate [3] Stakeholder Information - PEL85 is operated by Rhino Resources, which holds a 42.5% stake, alongside Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%). BP owns 50% of Azule Energy, its joint venture with Eni, providing substantial exposure to this new Namibian discovery [4] Broader Context - The Volans-1X well represents the third major 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 [4] - For BP, this discovery adds to a series of eleven exploration discoveries globally this year, including finds in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil's Santos Basin, highlighting the company's renewed upstream momentum [5] Industry Trends - The Orange Basin has rapidly emerged as a significant global exploration area, with multi-billion-barrel potential following high-profile discoveries by TotalEnergies and Shell, attracting major upstream investment as operators seek to commercialize offshore resources [6] - This result reinforces Namibia's rising profile as a new hydrocarbon province and BP's ongoing success in high-impact exploration, balancing low-carbon transition with strategically valuable upstream growth [7]