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Rhino Resources Ltd. has confirmed further expansion at its key offshore oil discovery in Namibia, adding momentum to one of the world’s most watched deepwater exploration hot spots.
The Capricornus-1A appraisal well, located in the Orange Basin, successfully intersected a 46-meter (151-foot) gross reservoir interval, proving that the oil-bearing sandstone is hydraulically connected to the original discovery well, Capricornus-1X. The finding confirms pressure communication and reservoir continuity across the accumulation, a critical step toward proving the commercial viability of the field.
The well was drilled in Block 2914 under Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 85 using the Saipem 12000 drillship. Operations began on May 2 in water depths of roughly 1,285 meters and safely reached a total depth of 4,818 meters on June 11.
Namibia’s Orange Basin has fast become a magnet for international oil majors following a string of massive discoveries by TotalEnergies SE and Shell Plc in recent years. Rhino serves as the operator of PEL 85 with a 42.5% working interest, matched by Azule Energy a joint venture between Eni SpA and BP Plc which also holds 42.5%. Namibia’s state-owned oil firm NAMCOR holds 10%, while Korres Investments retains 5%.
The joint venture recovered representative core samples alongside a comprehensive suite of wireline logs and formation evaluation data. The data will be integrated into regional models to refine the partners’ understanding of the broader exploration potential across the block.
“The Capricornus-1A well has delivered important information that advances our understanding of the morphology of the Capricornus reservoir system,” Travis Smithard, Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Resources, said in a statement. “Confirmation of pressure communication with Capricornus-1X provides evidence of reservoir continuity across the accumulation and increases our drilling confidence.”
The appraisal also yielded unexpected structural data, according to the company. “The well has also provided critical information on deeper geological intervals that were not encountered at Capricornus-1X, improving our understanding of how subsurface structures are defining the play fairways across the licence area,” Smithard said.
