Rhino Resources Begins Drilling Exploration Well in Namibia’s Orange Basin
Namibia-headquartered exploration company Rhino Resources and its partners have commenced drilling activities at the Volans-1X exploration well in production exploration license (PEL) 85 in Namibia’s Orange Basin.
The exploration well is being spudded using a rig owned by Northern Ocean (NOL) and managed by Odfjell Drilling. The Deepsea Mira, a sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling and service unit, was selected for the drilling operations in water depths of approximately 1,200 meters.
The primary objective of the drilling activities is to test a new play fairway that could potentially unlock significant development opportunities in the region, thereby enhancing Namibia’s energy future.
Rhino Resources’ CEO, Travis Smithard, expressed the company’s commitment to advancing the understanding of PEL 85’s potential through the Volans-1X exploration well. He emphasized the importance of local upliftment by sourcing all construction services and equipment within the country.
Operating with a 42.5% interest in PEL 85, Rhino Resources collaborates with partners Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%). The Volans-1X well marks the third drilling operation in the license, following successful results from Sagittarius 1-X and Capricornus 1-X.
Recent discoveries by global majors in the Orange Basin, such as Galp’s Mopane-3X and TotalEnergies’ Venus field development, highlight the region’s growing potential. BW Energy is also gearing up to commence drilling at the Kharas prospect using the Deepsea Mira rig.