More appraisal ops in the works with spotlight on liquid hydrocarbons’ presence off Namibia

November 19, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

Oslo-listed oil and gas E&P player BW Energy has provided further insight into the preliminary results of its appraisal well in the Orange Basin off the coast of Namibia, which was drilled with a rig owned by Northern Ocean and managed by Odfjell Drilling.

Deepsea Mira rig; Source: Odfjell Drilling

In its second update on the Kudu appraisal activity, BW Energy confirmed the completion of drilling operations at the Kharas-1 appraisal well in the Kudu license area in Namibian waters, which reached a total depth of 5,100 meters and intersected multiple reservoir intervals in petroleum production license 003 (PPL003).

This follows closely after the first update, which stated that early analysis indicated the K1 interval might contain hydrocarbons wetter than dry gas, with a hydrocarbon migration front observed, and wireline operations underway to assess reservoir quality, fluid type, and pressure characteristics.

Northern Ocean’s Deepsea Mira started drilling the Kharas-1 appraisal well in September 2025. This well will now be plugged and abandoned in line with the planned program. The operator emphasizes that several shallow turbidite reservoirs with dry-gas shows were encountered; thus, reservoir properties from these and the acquired whole core are now being evaluated.

According to the firm, hydrocarbons were encountered in a fractured volcaniclastic reservoir in the deeper section of the well, corroborating a working petroleum system with condensate and/or light oil. Currently, further analysis is ongoing to determine the extent of the system and to characterise reservoir properties and appraisal options.

BW Energy previously explained that a follow-up appraisal campaign would be required to evaluate the individual targets in greater detail, with the outcome of the wireline program anticipated to guide decisions on the next well location and the future appraisal strategy.

Carl Arnet, BW Energy’s CEO, commented: “Kharas-1 achieved its technical objective of testing multiple targets within a single penetration and delivered valuable geological, geochemical and petrophysical data. The results also confirm, for the first time, the presence of liquid hydrocarbons within the Kudu block and contribute to our understanding of the broader petroleum system.

“The reservoir complexity necessitates further appraisal to assess its potential. Our forward programme will focus on further high value targets based on the presence of liquid hydrocarbons, as well as gas and the learnings from Kharas-1A.”