bp confirmed a significant gas condensate discovery at the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia’s Orange Basin, marking the company’s eleventh exploration success this year. The well, drilled in Petroleum Exploration License 85 (PEL85), strengthens bp’s growing exploration record for 2025.
The Volans-1X well was drilled by the Deepsea Mira semi-submersible rig to a total depth of 4,497.5 meters, penetrating the Upper Cretaceous target. PEL85 is operated by Rhino Resources (42.5%), with partners Azule Energy (42.5%), the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) (10%), and Korres Investments (5%). bp holds a 50% interest in Azule Energy, its joint venture (JV) with Eni.
This discovery is the third major hydrocarbon find in 2025 for Azule Energy and its partners, following the Capricornus-1X light oil discovery in Namibia and the Gajajeira-01 gas discovery in Angola.
bp achieved eleven exploration discoveries this year across multiple basins, including the Far South find in the Gulf of America and well 1-BP-13-SPS in Brazil’s Santos Basin, where the company holds 100% participation.
bp is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Operating in more than 60 countries, bp’s business spans oil and gas exploration, production, refining, and marketing, as well as renewable and low-carbon energy solutions.
