AfrOil: Chevron, Rhino Resources prepare for offshore drilling in Namibia’s Orange Basin

US supermajor Chevron and South Africa-based oil and gas explorer Rhino Resources have submitted environmental documents for their upcoming wildcatting operations offshore Namibia.

The exploratory campaigns are scheduled to begin in the hydrocarbon-rich Orange Basin by late 2024 or early 2025. Currently there are no active drilling rigs, marking the first pause in drilling activity in nearly two years, media reported.

Chevron is set to drill at least one probe in Block 2813B, located north of the area operated by TotalEnergies (France), with the significant Venus and Mangetti discoveries. It also lies west of a licence area where Portugal-based integrated energy company Galp Energia recently announced its Mopane discovery, which, it said, could hold up to 10bn barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

According to the African Energy Council (AEC), the proximity to these substantial discoveries underscores the high potential of Chevron’s exploration efforts. The drilling is expected to provide valuable insights into the geological structure and hydrocarbon potential.

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