Custos, a prominent player in the energy sector, recently announced a groundbreaking discovery at the Mopane complex in the Orange Basin.
Initial estimates suggest that the complex harbors over 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, marking a significant milestone in the region’s oil exploration efforts.
Situated within the PEL 83 blocks on blocks 2813A and 2814B, the Mopane complex is a joint venture project involving Galp Energia’s subsidiary and Custos, with Namcor holding a stake as well.
Following extensive exploration and drilling activities, the joint venture uncovered substantial light oil reservoirs at the AVO-1 and AVO-2 sites during the Mopane-1X well drilling in January 2024.
Further drilling efforts in March 2024, notably the Mopane-2X well, revealed significant light oil columns across multiple high-quality reservoir sands, reaffirming the potential of the Mopane complex.
Custos reported favorable reservoir characteristics, including good porosity, high pressures, and permeabilities, coupled with low oil viscosity and negligible CO2 and H2S concentrations in fluid samples.
The successful well test at Mopane-2X yielded flows reaching the maximum allowable limit of approximately 14 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, positioning Mopane as a promising commercial prospect.
Knowledge Katti, Custos’ chairperson and CEO, expressed confidence in the project’s potential, highlighting the immense opportunity it presents for Namibia’s energy sector and its people.
With the discovery boasting potential reserves exceeding 10 billion barrels of original oil in place, Mopane ranks among the largest oil finds globally.
Katti emphasized Custos’ commitment to leveraging this success for the benefit of local communities, particularly through partnerships with community trusts aimed at fostering sustainable development and poverty reduction.
The Mopane discovery represents a significant leap forward in Namibia’s energy landscape, offering promising prospects for economic growth and prosperity while underscoring the country’s emergence as a key player in the global energy arena.
