Azule Energy, jointly owned by bp and Eni, has confirmed a new gas condensate discovery in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia. The Volans-1X well was drilled under Petroleum Exploration License 85 (PEL85), operated by Rhino Resources with a 42.5% stake. Azule Energy also holds 42.5% of the licence, while the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) holds 10% and Korres Investments 5%.
Drilled using the semi-submersible rig Deepsea Mira operated by Northern Ocean, the well reached a total true vertical subsea depth of 4,497.5 metres. It successfully penetrated the Upper Cretaceous target and encountered a 26-metre net pay zone containing gas condensate, with no water contact observed.
Reservoir properties considered promising
Initial laboratory analysis from two samples indicated a high condensate-to-gas ratio of over 140 barrels per million standard cubic feet (bbl/mmscf), and a liquid density estimated at 40° API. The petrophysical characteristics of the formation were described as excellent by the operators. Further assessment is ongoing to better determine the commercial potential of the discovery.
This announcement marks the third significant hydrocarbon find in 2025 for Azule Energy’s partners. It follows the Capricornus-1X light oil discovery, also in Namibia, and the Gajajeira-01 gas discovery in Angola. These results highlight growing interest in the offshore potential of Southern Africa.
An active exploration year for bp
bp, which holds a 50% stake in Azule Energy, reported eleven discoveries across various basins in 2025. These include the Far South find in the Gulf of Mexico and the 1-BP-13-SPS well in the Bumerangue block offshore Brazil, where the company holds 100% participation.
The results from Volans-1X underscore the exploratory momentum in the Orange Basin, which continues to attract major oil and gas players. The eventual development of the successive discoveries in this licence will depend on the outcome of ongoing evaluations and broader sectoral economic considerations.
