Shell discovers light oil offshore Namibia

Shell Namibia Upstream BV discovered light oil in the primary and secondary targets of the Graff-1 deep-water exploration well offshore Namibia. Laboratory analyses will be performed and a possible second exploration well could help with understanding of the reservoir quality and potential flow rates achievable, according to the National Petroleum Corp. of Namibia (NAMCOR), the Namibian state-owned oil company.

Graff-1 proved a working petroleum system for light oil in the Orange basin, 270 km off the coast of Oranjemund. Drilling operations began early December 2021 and were completed in early February 2022.

Shell Namibia holds a 45% participating interest in Petroleum Exploration License 39 (PEL 39), offshore Namibia, with a 45% interest held by QatarEnergy, and a 10% interest held by NAMCOR.

Shell completed three seismic surveys of PEL 39 between 2014 and 2019. The purpose of the surveys was to identify geological structures below the seabed which might contain oil or gas.