Fossil Energy – Namibia
Shell has applied to amend its Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) with Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism to allow for the drilling of up to 10 additional exploration and appraisal wells on licence PEL 0039 off southern Namibia.
The actual number of wells drilled will be based on the outcome of previous wells. In their amended ECC application, Shell anticipate the drilling of additional exploration and / or appraisal wells to begin in the third quarter of 2023, with estimated durations of up to three months for the drilling phase of an exploration well and up to four months for the drilling phase of an appraisal well.
The company’s current amended ECC issued in August 2020 covers five wells on the block. Graff-1, La Rona-1 and Jonker-1 have already been drilled, with Shell reporting an oil discovery at Jonker-1 in March 2023.
Shell aims to complete the drilling of the remaining two wells under its current ECC in the third quarter of 2023. Shell is currently drilling at PEL 0039 with Odfjell Drilling-managed 7,500-ft semisub Deepsea Bollsta. The rig is working under a 12-month contract that began in late 2022 and has a six-month option available.
