Namibia
(Thanks to Malcy's blog)
Jan 11,2024
It’s worth mentioning Namibia today as yesterday there were two interesting stories concerning one of the energy world’s most exciting post codes and Galp announced yesterday the following.
Galp (80%, operator), together with its partners NAMCOR and Custos (10% each), has drilled and logged the first exploration well (Mopane-1X) in block PEL83, offshore Namibia.
Building on the previous announcement dated January 2, Galp now confirms the discovery of a significant column of light oil in reservoir-bearing sands of high quality.
Galp will continue to analyse the acquired data and anticipates performing a Drill Stem Test (DST) in the coming weeks to assess the commerciality of this discovery.
The drilling operations at Mopane-1X will proceed to explore deeper targets. Upon completion, the rig will be relocated to the Mopane-2X location to further evaluate the extent of the Mopane discovery.
My spies tell me that this is a ‘beast’ of a discovery which has truly blown the model, for those in the Orange Basin a bit of ‘nearology’ never did any harm and for the likes of Eco Atlantic must have been music to their ears.
There are two interesting features for investors to bear in mind, one is that Sintana Energy, quoted on the TSX-V is carried by Galp and has a 5% indirect interest in this find. The second is that yesterday saw this from Impact Oil.
Impact Oil announced the signing of a farmout transaction related to its interests in Blocks 2912 and 2913B offshore Namibia with TotalEnergies EP Namibia B.V. The transaction includes a full carry on Impact’s retained interest, for all joint venture costs, with no cap, through to receipt of the first sales proceeds from first oil production.
Impact, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Impact Oil and Gas Namibia (Pty) Ltd, has signed a farmout agreement with TotalEnergies EP Namibia B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies S.E., for the sale of a 9.39% undivided participating interest in Block 2912, Petroleum Exploration Licence 91, and a 10.5% undivided participating interest in Block 2913B, Petroleum Exploration Licence 56. On completion of this transaction, Impact will hold a 9.5% interest in each of Blocks 2912 and 2913B.
Impact will also be reimbursed in cash for its share of the past costs incurred on the Blocks, net to the farmout interests, which is estimated to be approximately USD 99 million.
This Agreement provides Impact with a carry loan for all of Impact’s remaining development, appraisal and exploration costs on the Blocks from January 1st, 2024, until the First Oil Date.
The carry is repayable to TotalEnergies from Impact’s after-tax cash flow and net of all joint venture costs, including capital expenditures, from production on the Blocks post the First Oil Date. During the repayment of the carry, Impact will pool its entitlement barrels with those of TotalEnergies for more regular off-takes and a more stable cashflow profile, and will also benefit from TotalEnergies’ marketing and sales capabilities.
Completion of the transaction will be subject to customary third party approvals from the Namibian authorities and joint venture parties.
Siraj Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Impact, commented:
“This is a pivotal transaction for Impact that paves the way for its transition from an exploration company to a hydrocarbon producing company, through its participation in the development of the world class Venus discovery. This transaction also enables Impact to participate in further significant exploration opportunities in the Blocks, offering the potential to significantly grow the existing discovered resource base. We are delighted to be able to continue in this exciting journey with TotalEnergies.
We thank our Shareholders for their steadfast support that has enabled us to reach this position.”
