Back to overview Home Fossil Energy Appraisal ops at Namibian discovery corroborate oil-bearing reservoir continuity Appraisal ops at Namibian discovery corroborate oil-bearing reservoir continuity Exploration & Production June 30, 2026, by Melisa Cavcic Share this article African energy exploration player Rhino Resources has shed light on the appraisal of an oil discovery in the Orange Basin, confirming a connected oil-bearing reservoir at its appraisal well off the coast of Namibia. Saipem 12000; Source: Saipem Rhino Resources’ update on behalf of the PEL 85 joint venture (JV) regarding its drilling campaign on Block 2914 offshore Namibia indicates that the Capricornus-1A appraisal well was drilled in the eastern portion of the Capricornus fairway, which was established by the discovery at the Capricornus-1X well . The well was spudded on May 2, 2026, with the Saipem 12000 drillship in a water depth of 1,285 meters and reached a total depth of 4,818 meters measured depth on June 11, 2026. The company claims that drilling operations were completed safely and without incident. The appraisal well intersected a gross reservoir interval of 46 meters. A representative core of the main reservoir section was acquired, and a full suite of wireline logging and formation evaluation data was collected. The preliminary analysis of downhole pressure data indicates the presence of an oil-bearing sandstone reservoir in pressure communication with the reservoir fairway discovered by the Capricornus-1X well. Travis Smithard , Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Resources, commented: “The Capricornus-1A well has delivered important information that advances our understanding of the morphology of the Capricornus reservoir system. “Confirmation of pressure communication with Capricornus-1X provides evidence of reservoir continuity across the accumulation and increases our drilling confidence as we continue to advance the appraisal of the Capricornus discovery.” This content is availa