French supermajor Total has filed an application with Namibia’s authorities to carry out a 3D seismic survey, the bulk of which will cover an Orange basin block next to where it is set to spud its highly anticipated Venus-1 wildcat within months.

The proposed survey will take largely in Blocks 2912, but also edge into 2913B — which hosts the Venus location — during the southern hemisphere winter and will help pinpoint prospects to target in a future ultra-deepwater drilling campaign.

The survey is expected to cover about 6470 square kilometres, a minor part of which will be in international waters.

Venus spud in sight

Venus-1 is still expected to be drilled in the middle of this year by drillship Maersk Voyager, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Without any unexpected delays, it is anticipated the 3D survey would last about 100 days and start in either December this year or January 2021.

Block 2912 lies some 290 kilometres offshore in water depths ranging from 3300 to 3800 metres, while Block 2913B lies closer to shore in depths of 2600 to 3300 metres.

To meet environmental permitting obligations, a draft scoping document has been published for the survey and is available for public comment until 8 June.

The 3D operation will be supported from either Walvis Bay or Luderitz, although the latter is Total’s preference because it is 350 kilometres closer to the survey area.

Previous exploration activities undertaken in the blocks include about 1100 kilometres of 2D seismic shot by TGS in 2019.

TEPNA is currently planning to drill an exploration well in mid-2020.

Total has a 37.77% stake in Block 2912 and 40% in 2913B.

It is partnered by Qatar Petroleum — which holds stakes of 28.33% and 30% in blocks 2912 and 2913B, respectively — with Impact Oil & Gas having holdings of 18.9% and 20% in the blocks, while state-owned Namcor is on 15% and 10%.

Impact said last year the block has oil potential in large Cretaceous basin floor sands.

Exploration

Total targets Namibia seismic shoot near Venus wildcat site