Namibia to begin offshore drilling at Galp Energia oil discovery site
(WO) 鈥 Namibia鈥檚 next wave of offshore oil drilling is set to begin with the arrival of a rig near an existing discovery made by Galp Energia SGPS S.A.
Saipem SpA鈥檚 Santorini drillship showing a destination of 鈥淢opane,鈥 the name of the find made by Galp, arrived at the site of the field early on Wednesday, according to ship tracking data. At least four drilling campaigns including wells by TotalEnergies SE and Chevron Corp are expected to start before the end of the year after a string of significant discoveries first made in the Atlantic waters.
The Portuguese explorer declined to comment. Galp Chief Executive Officer Filipe Silva said in July that the company was preparing for the first of four new Namibia wells for the final quarter of the year.
Namibia鈥檚 discoveries are drawing increased exploration activity even as oil majors鈥 development budgets have become more constrained, in line with shifting priorities in the global energy transition.听
Rhino Resources听will also begin a campaign of two wells starting in November and Chevron is expected to drill in December, Maggy Shino, Namibia鈥檚 petroleum commissioner, said on Oct. 9 at a Cape Town conference. Total is planning to explore its Tamboti prospect this year.
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