• Rhino plans appraisal, flow tests in Namibia’s Orange Basin
• Goal: confirm oil, gas potential before development phase
• Production targeted by 2030 using offshore FPSO systems
  

Rhino Resources is preparing a new drilling and testing campaign in its PEL 85 offshore block in Namibia’s Orange Basin, the company said. The goal is to confirm the commercial potential of its oil and condensate gas discoveries before moving into the development phase.

The company plans to drill an appraisal well on the Capricornus prospect, which showed signs of light oil, according to reports released on Friday, October 24. It also intends to conduct a flow test on the Volans prospect, recently found to contain liquid-rich condensate gas.

With the two fields located about nine miles apart, Rhino Resources is considering a joint development plan. "There's a fair amount of uncertainty at this stage, not because of the quality of discoveries, but more because we have such optionality on our hands we want to make sure we make the right decision for the right reason,” Rhino Resources’ CEO told Reuters. The company aims to develop a technically and economically sound production plan before committing major capital.

This evaluation phase is key to collecting the technical data needed for a final investment decision (FID). Tests on pressure, temperature, and fluid composition will help refine reservoir models and assess recoverable hydrocarbon volumes.

Rhino Resources aims to start production around 2030, pending favorable technical results and government approval. The development plan is expected to use Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels — floating units that produce, store, and offload crude at sea — similar to major projects elsewhere in the Orange Basin.

Abdel-Latif Boureima