• Estimated resources rise to 1.38 billion barrels of oil equivalent
• Volumes remain contingent, not yet classified as recoverable reserves
• New drilling planned to confirm potential and reduce uncertainty

Estimated oil and gas resources at Namibia’s offshore Mopane field have increased by 57%, according to an update released March 30 by Sintana Energy, citing Galp Energia’s 2025 integrated report. The field is located in Block PEL 83 and is being developed with TotalEnergies as operator.

The revised estimate is based on updated geological and seismic data, combined with results from exploration wells drilled on the block. Galp said the figures correspond to “contingent resources,” meaning high-end estimates of potentially recoverable volumes that are not yet classified as proven reserves.

The 3C contingent resource estimate has been raised from 875 million barrels of oil equivalent to 1.38 billion barrels, marking a significant increase.

Total volumes in place within the PEL 83 license area could be far higher. Estimates cited by Reuters in April 2024 suggest the field may hold up to 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, although only a portion of that is considered recoverable at this stage.

The revised estimate comes as partners prepare to advance exploration activities on the block. When Galp agreed in December 2025 to sell half of its 80% stake in Mopane to TotalEnergies, it tied further development to additional evaluation work.

That includes a new drilling campaign expected to begin in 2026, aimed at gathering more data to confirm resource volumes, refine geological understanding, and reduce development risks.

For several months, uncertainty around the project had slowed efforts to bring in additional investors. Despite the field’s potential, Galp struggled to attract a partner while seeking to open up the project’s capital, in a context of multiple oil and gas discoveries across Namibia’s Orange Basin since 2022.

Abdel-Latif Boureima