UK-based bp has confirmed an oil and gas discovery at the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia's Orange Basin, operated by Rhino Resources. 

BP holds a 50% interest in Azule Energy, which is a co-venturer in the Orange basin, alongside Namibian national oil company NAMCOR and Korres Investments. 

The exploration well, drilled under Petroleum Exploration Licence 85 (PEL 85), reached a true vertical depth subsea of 4,497.5m. 

It penetrated the Upper Cretaceous target and encountered 26m of net pay in gas condensate-bearing reservoirs. 

The discovery showed strong petrophysical properties with no water contact. 

Initial laboratory analysis of samples showed a high condensate-to-gas ratio exceeding 140 barrels per million standard cubic feet, with a liquid density of around 40^° API (American Petroleum Institute) gravity. 

These findings are currently under further evaluation. 

The Volans-1X well is the third significant hydrocarbon discovery in 2025 for Azule Energy partners following the Capricornus-1X light oil discovery in Namibia and the Gajajeira-01 gas find in Angola. 

BP, which has made 11 exploration discoveries this year across various basins, also reported successes in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil's Santos Basin. 

Earlier this year, Italian oil and gas company Eni confirmed an oil discovery at the Capricornus 1-X well, also located in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia. 

Drilled using the Noble Venturer drill-ship, the Capricornus well reached its total depth in April, successfully targeting the Lower Cretaceous. 

The well encountered 38m of net pay, with good reservoir properties and no water contact. Comprehensive wireline logging operations provided hydrocarbon samples and sidewall cores for analysis.