ALLAFRICA.COM
THE NAMIBIAN (Windhoek) [06/03/13]
By Adam Hartman
Walvis Bay — IN the next two weeks the
Brazilian oil and gas exploration company High Resolution Technology
(HRT) will move the 'Transocean Marianas' semi-submersible drilling rig
to potential oil wells off the coast of Namibia to begin a N$2,2
billion, eight-month operation.
The operation was announced on Monday during a site visit and briefing onboard the rig currently undergoing maintenance in the Walvis Bay harbour. The briefing was attended by Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti, Prime Minister Hage Geingob, Minister of Mines and Energy Isak Katali, former President Sam Nujoma and Member of Parliament Ben Amadhila.
According to a press statement from HRT, oil specialists believe that the similarities between Brazil's southeast basins and those along the Namibian coast will put Namibia "in the global oil and gas exploration and production scenario".
In two weeks' time, drilling will start at three exploration wells, which aim to test the total potential volumes. The first licence areas to be drilled will be 'Wingat' and 'Murombe', followed by 'Moosehead'.
According to the rig marshall, Dave Sutherland, the rig will be towed to the first of the wells, which is just over 200 km south-west of Walvis Bay.
Geingob was informed that drilling will continue for about eight months, but as soon as eight weeks after drilling starts Namibia might know if it indeed does have viable oil reserves. It was noted during the briefing that Namibia has large potential reserves that "cannot be missed" by drilling operations.
The entire drilling exploration could cost over N$2,2 billion - with more capital commitments following, according to Katti, who is responsible in facilitating in HRT's drilling operations in Namibia.
At present, HRT is the largest holder of Namibian offshore concession areas. It owns 12 exploration blocks, which cover an area of approximately 68 800 square kilometres.
In 2011 it was reported that another company, Chariot Oil and Gas, with Swapo Ndume's Enigma Investment as Namibian partner, would drill its first oil well. Chariot claimed that there were about 15.5 billion barrels of oil in exploration blocks in the Namibe, Lüderitz and Orange basins.
The operation was announced on Monday during a site visit and briefing onboard the rig currently undergoing maintenance in the Walvis Bay harbour. The briefing was attended by Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti, Prime Minister Hage Geingob, Minister of Mines and Energy Isak Katali, former President Sam Nujoma and Member of Parliament Ben Amadhila.
According to a press statement from HRT, oil specialists believe that the similarities between Brazil's southeast basins and those along the Namibian coast will put Namibia "in the global oil and gas exploration and production scenario".
In two weeks' time, drilling will start at three exploration wells, which aim to test the total potential volumes. The first licence areas to be drilled will be 'Wingat' and 'Murombe', followed by 'Moosehead'.
According to the rig marshall, Dave Sutherland, the rig will be towed to the first of the wells, which is just over 200 km south-west of Walvis Bay.
Geingob was informed that drilling will continue for about eight months, but as soon as eight weeks after drilling starts Namibia might know if it indeed does have viable oil reserves. It was noted during the briefing that Namibia has large potential reserves that "cannot be missed" by drilling operations.
The entire drilling exploration could cost over N$2,2 billion - with more capital commitments following, according to Katti, who is responsible in facilitating in HRT's drilling operations in Namibia.
At present, HRT is the largest holder of Namibian offshore concession areas. It owns 12 exploration blocks, which cover an area of approximately 68 800 square kilometres.
In 2011 it was reported that another company, Chariot Oil and Gas, with Swapo Ndume's Enigma Investment as Namibian partner, would drill its first oil well. Chariot claimed that there were about 15.5 billion barrels of oil in exploration blocks in the Namibe, Lüderitz and Orange basins.
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