SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Namibia: Africa Oil Expands with the Drilling of Marula-1X

Africa Oil Corp. and its investee Impact Oil & Gas are accelerating their offshore operations in Namibia. Following the drilling of Tamboti-1X, work continues with Marula-1X, targeting Albian reservoirs. The Venus project, scheduled for 2026, could mark a key milestone.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The offshore oil sector in Namibia continues to attract attention with the latest developments from Africa Oil Corp. and Impact Oil & Gas. The company announced the completion of testing at the Tamboti-1X well and the start of drilling for Marula-1X in Block 2913B (PEL 56). These activities are part of a development strategy aimed at assessing the potential of identified reservoirs in the region.

Tamboti-1X: Potential Under Evaluation

The drilling of Tamboti-1X identified oil within an 85-meter net reservoir. However, initial analyses indicate that these Upper Cretaceous sandstones, associated with the Mangetti system, are of lower quality. The operator has conducted a drill stem test (DST) program to clarify the reservoir’s characteristics. The acquired data, including cores and log readings, are currently being analyzed to determine the commercial potential of the well.

Marula-1X: A New Bet on Block 2913B

On February 3, 2025, the Deepsea Mira rig began drilling the Marula-1X well, located in the southern part of Block 2913B. This operation targets Albian sandstone reservoirs within the Marula complex, an area near the prolific Kudu source rock. If results prove positive, this discovery could pave the way for further exploration opportunities within the block.

Additionally, the consortium operating in Block 2913B plans to drill the Olympe-1X prospect by the end of 2025. This campaign aims to test Albian sands within a structural closure, adding another dimension to the production outlook in the region.

The Venus Project in Development Phase

Alongside exploration drilling, partners in Block 2913B continue to advance development studies for the Venus Field, discovered in 2022. Since then, three additional wells have confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons, and four drill stem tests have been successfully conducted. According to projections, the first phase of Venus field production could begin in 2026, with an estimated capacity of 150,000 barrels per day of light crude (~45° API).

Africa Oil holds an indirect interest in these blocks through its 39.5% stake in Impact Oil & Gas, which owns a 9.5% interest in Blocks 2912 and 2913B. Impact’s development and exploration costs on these blocks are currently covered by TotalEnergies until Venus achieves commercial production.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Nuclear energy retained in the European Union green taxonomy
Orazul Energy launches cash tender offer for its 2027 notes
Westinghouse and EDF reactors deemed viable for Slovenia’s JEK2 nuclear project
IAEA urges Iran to resume nuclear inspections as time runs out
Two sanctioned Russian LNG carriers deliver to China despite restrictions
Drone strikes major Bachneft refinery in Ufa, fire breaks out
A drone attack on a Bachneft oil facility in Ufa sparked a fire with no casualties, temporarily disrupting activity at one of Russia’s largest refineries.
Transatlantic rift over Russian oil reduces Indian volumes in October
The divide between the United States and the European Union over regulations on Russian oil exports to India is causing a drop in scheduled deliveries, as negotiation margins tighten between buyers and sellers.
US crude oil stocks rise by 3.9 million barrels
Against market expectations, US commercial crude reserves surged due to a sharp drop in exports, only slightly affecting international prices.
Russia increases oil exports from western ports by 11% in September
Russia plans to ship 2.1 million barrels per day from its western ports in September, revising exports upward amid lower domestic demand following drone attacks on key refineries.
QatarEnergy secures offshore exploration licence in Congo
QatarEnergy obtained a 35% stake in the Nzombo block, located in deep waters off Congo, under a production sharing contract signed with the Congolese government.
Phillips 66 takes full control of two US refineries for $1.4bn
Phillips 66 acquires Cenovus Energy’s remaining 50% in WRB Refining, strengthening its US market position with two major sites totalling 495,000 barrels per day.
Union strike threatens fuel deliveries from Dangote refinery
Nigeria’s two main oil unions have halted loadings at the Dangote refinery, contesting the rollout of a private logistics fleet that could reshape the sector’s balance.
ReconAfrica secures offshore block in Gabon with production sharing contract
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. enters Gabonese offshore with a strategic contract on the Ngulu block, expanding its portfolio with immediate production potential and long-term development opportunities.
BW Energy raises $365mn for Maromba FPSO and secures drilling rig
BW Energy has finalised a $365mn financing for the conversion of the Maromba FPSO offshore Brazil and signed a short-term lease for a drilling rig with Minsheng Financial Leasing.
Vantage Drilling signs 260-day contract for the Platinum Explorer
Vantage Drilling has finalised a major commercial agreement for the deployment of the Platinum Explorer, with a 260-day offshore mission starting in Q1 2026.
Permex signs agreement for potential $25mn funding with Chisos
Permex Petroleum has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chisos Ltd. for potential funding of up to $25mn to develop its oil assets in the Permian Basin.
OPEC+ approves 137,000 barrels/day increase starting in October
OPEC+ begins a new phase of gradual production increases, starting to lift 1.65 million barrels/day of voluntary cuts after the early conclusion of a 2.2 million barrels/day phaseout.
Imperial Petroleum invests in seven vessels despite a 22.8% drop in revenue
Imperial Petroleum expanded its fleet to 19 vessels in the second quarter of 2025, while reporting a decline in revenue due to lower rates in the maritime oil market.
OPEC+ prepares for decisive debate on quotas amid surplus risk
Eight OPEC+ members will meet to adjust their quotas as forecasts point to a global surplus of 3 million barrels per day by year-end.
Greek shipowners cut Russian crude links under new compliance rules
Greek shipping companies are gradually withdrawing from transporting Russian crude as the European Union tightens compliance conditions on price caps.
Transneft strategic site targeted in Russia strike
A key station on the Stalnoy Kon pipeline, essential for transporting petroleum products between Belarus and Russia, was targeted in a drone strike carried out by Ukrainian forces in Bryansk Oblast.
Iraq in talks with ExxonMobil for refining capacities in Asia
SOMO is negotiating with ExxonMobil to secure storage and refining access in Singapore, aiming to strengthen Iraq’s position in expanding Asian markets.
European Union redefines import rules for UK oil and gas
The European Union’s new import standard forces the United Kingdom to make major adjustments to its oil and gas exports, impacting competitiveness and trade flows between the two markets.
UK prepares new oil tax regime to revive UKCS competitiveness
The United Kingdom is set to replace the Energy Profits Levy with a new fiscal mechanism, caught between fairness and simplicity, as the British Continental Shelf continues to decline.
Italy seeks energy guarantees in potential sale of IP to SOCAR
The Italian government is demanding assurances on fuel supply security before approving the sale of Italiana Petroli to Azerbaijan's state-owned energy group SOCAR, as negotiations continue.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.