QatarEnergy announces new oil discoveries off the coast of Namibia

QatarEnergy Announces Promising Oil Discovery in Namibia’s Merlin‑1X Well

In September 2024, QatarEnergy reported that the Merlin‑1X exploration well, located in Petroleum Exploration License 39 (PEL 0039) offshore Namibia, encountered light oil with good reservoir quality and only limited associated gas. The well is the tenth drilled under the license and represents the most encouraging subsurface outcome to date within the Orange Basin.

Well Performance and Reservoir Characteristics

Merlin‑1X was drilled to a measured depth of approximately 3,800 meters, intersecting a sandstone reservoir that displayed favorable porosity and permeability estimates. Initial logging and core analysis indicated light crude oil with an API gravity in the range of 38‑42°, accompanied by a modest gas‑oil ratio typical of early‑stage discoveries. These attributes suggest the potential for cost‑effective development should further appraisal confirm commercial viability.

The results build on three previous discoveries announced by QatarEnergy in the same license area, reinforcing a growing understanding of the basin’s hydrocarbon system. Independent analysts note that the Orange Basin has shown increasing interest from international operators due to its Cretaceous‑aged source rocks and structural traps comparable to those found in prolific West African margins.

Leadership Comments

His Excellency Saad Sherida Al‑Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, highlighted the significance of the find:

“We are pleased with this discovery, which follows three previous discovery announcements in Namibia. These results represent significant progress that further strengthens confidence in the Orange Basin as an emerging world‑class hydrocarbon province and is consistent with QatarEnergy’s strategy to expand its international upstream portfolio through high‑impact exploration.”

Al‑Kaabi also acknowledged the collaborative effort that made the result possible:

“We thank the Government of the Republic of Namibia for their continued support of these exploration efforts and congratulate our partners Shell and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia on this success.”

Strategic Implications for QatarEnergy

QatarEnergy holds working interests in four offshore exploration blocks in Namibia:

• PEL 0039 – 45 % interest
• PEL 0056 – 35.25 % interest
• PEL 0091 – 33.03 % interest
• PEL 0090 – 27.5 % interest

Collectively, these licenses span roughly 34,000 square kilometers, positioning the company as a significant acreage holder in the Orange Basin. The Merlin‑1X outcome aligns with QatarEnergy’s broader upstream strategy, which prioritizes high‑impact exploration in frontier basins that offer the potential for substantial reserve additions while leveraging technical expertise and partnership models.

Namibia’s Offshore Outlook

Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has been actively promoting offshore licensing rounds to attract investment and diversify the nation’s economy. The Merlin‑1X discovery adds to a series of encouraging results reported by various operators over the past two years, suggesting that the Orange Basin may evolve into a notable hydrocarbon province on the southwestern African margin.

Industry observers caution that translating exploration success into production requires sustained appraisal, infrastructure development, and favorable fiscal terms. Nonetheless, the current data points—good reservoir quality, light oil characteristics, and limited gas—provide a solid foundation for further evaluation.

As QatarEnergy advances its appraisal program and continues to work with Namibian authorities and joint‑venture partners, stakeholders will monitor the Merlin‑1X well’s follow‑up activities closely for indications of commercial viability and potential development timelines.

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