BP confirms gas discovery off Namibia

WINDHOEK, October 21, 2025 – BP has confirmed a gas condensate discovery at the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange basin, initially reported by operator Rhino Resources on October 1.

The well was spudded on July 31 using the Deepsea Mira semi-submersible rig and reached a total depth of 4,497.5 metres true vertical depth subsea on August 30. It encountered 26 metres of net pay in rich gas condensate-bearing reservoirs with no observed water contact and excellent petrophysical properties. Laboratory analysis showed a high condensate-to-gas ratio of over 140 barrels per million cubic feet and liquid density of around 40° API gravity.

“This is our third consecutive hydrocarbon discovery on the block and further enhances our understanding of the sub-surface,” Rhino chief executive officer Travis Smithard said. “This well result opens up an exciting new play fairway within the licence.”

The Volans-1X discovery follows the Capricornus-1X and Sagittarius-1X finds in the same licence. The PEL85 consortium comprises Rhino Resources (42.5%, operator), Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%) and Korres Investments (5%). BP holds a 50% stake in Azule Energy.

BP has made eleven exploration discoveries in 2025, including the Far South find in the Gulf of America and well 1-BP-13-SPS in Brazil’s Santos Basin, where it has full participation.

Rhino Resources is an independent upstream company focused on frontier exploration in southern Africa, with active operations in Namibia’s Orange basin.

Azule Energy is an Angola-based joint venture between BP and Eni, operating one of the largest independent oil and gas portfolios in Africa. It is expanding exploration activities in Angola and Namibia.

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