BW Energy subsidiary BW Kudu Limited has applied to conduct an appraisal drilling programme on Petroleum Production Licence 003 on Block 2814A in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia. The proposed programme includes the drilling of up to four appraisal wells. The programme is part of BW Energy’s planned development of the Kudu field, originally discovered in 1974. BW Energy has begun the application process for an environmental clearance certificate for the work, with SLR Consulting appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment process for the proposed appraisal activities. 

Under the proposed timeline, BW Energy anticipates drilling up to four appraisal wells, commencing in the third quarter of 2025 with an assumed two wells drilled in the first year and two wells drilled the year after. Precise locations for the wells have yet to be determined. The company is estimating around 100 days to drill each well, including mobilisation, drilling, testing, abandonment and demobilisation. BW Energy is expected to use a drillship or semisubmersible, with activity taking place in around 492 to 2,460 ft (150 to 750 m) of water. 

While presenting at the Pareto Securities Energy Conference 2024 earlier this month, BW Energy Chief Financial Officer Brice Morlot stated that the company was working on defining a target for its first appraisal well, securing long-lead items for a 2025 exploration programme and preparing an independent rig tender. The company also said that it has been progressing its 3D seismic processing for the project and working with other operators in the Orange Basin to explore the common use of available resources.

KeyFacts Energy: BW Energy Namibia country profile