TotalEnergies has resumed hydrocarbon exploration on Block 2913B in Namibia’s Orange Basin, drilling the Tamboti-1X exploration well just north of the Venus accumulation. The company estimates the prospect holds approximately 1 billion barrels of oil.
The Deepsea Mira rig, under a multi-country contract with TotalEnergies since December 2022, began drilling Tamboti-1X in October 2024.
TotalEnergies operates Block 2913B in Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 56 with a 50.5% stake in the 8,215 km² offshore area.
Its joint venture (JV) partners include QatarEnergy (30%), Africa Oil’s Impact Oil & Gas (9.5%), and Namibia’s state-owned NAMCOR (10%).
Impact Oil & Gas has completed drilling and testing at Tamboti-1X and has now spudded the Marula-1X exploration well in the same block.
The Tamboti-1X well encountered black oil in an 85-meter net reservoir within low-quality Upper Cretaceous sandstones of the Mangetti fan system.
Impact confirmed that the drill stem test (DST) program has concluded, and log, core, and DST data are under evaluation.
On February 3, 2025, the Deepsea Mira rig commenced drilling at Marula-1X, located in the southern part of Block 2913B, targeting Albian-aged sandstones within the Marula fan complex.
The JV believes Marula-1X could unlock further exploration potential in the southern region, which lies within the Kudu source-rock kitchen.
Additionally, the JV plans to drill the Olympe prospect on Block 2912, targeting Albian sands within a structural closure, by the end of 2025.
