bp confirms discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin

bp has confirmed the preliminary results of the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, as announced by the operator, Rhino Resources. The well was drilled under Petroleum Exploration License 85 (PEL85), which is operated by Rhino Resources with a 42.5% working interest. Its co-venturers are Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%). bp holds a 50% interest in Azule Energy.

The Volans-1X well was drilled using Northern Ocean’s semi-submersible rig Deepsea Mira, reaching a total depth of 4,497.5 meters true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS) and successfully penetrating its Upper Cretaceous target. The well encountered 26 meters of net pay in gas condensate-rich reservoirs, which demonstrated excellent petrophysical properties and no observed water contact. Preliminary laboratory analyses from two samples showed a high condensate-to-gas ratio (CGR) exceeding 140 barrels per million standard cubic feet, with a liquid density of approximately 40° API gravity. These results are currently undergoing further evaluation.

Volans-1X represents the third significant hydrocarbon discovery in 2025 for Azule Energy partners, following the Capricornus-1X light oil discovery in Namibia and the Gajajeira-01 gas find in Angola. To date, bp has achieved eleven exploration discoveries this year across various basins, including the Far South discovery in the Gulf of America and well 1-BP-13-SPS in Brazil’s Santos Basin, where the company holds full ownership.