Shell, together with QatarEnergy and NAMCOR, has reported promising exploration results from the Merlin-1X well in Petroleum Exploration Licence No. 0039 (PEL 0039) offshore Namibia.
The discovery advances Shell’s assessment of the Orange Basin block, with the well successfully reaching the Coniacian play. The well delivered the strongest subsurface results recorded so far in PEL 0039, showing good reservoir quality with light oil and limited associated gas compared with previous findings in the licence area.
Shell spudded the Merlin-1X well on 8 April 2026. It is the tenth well drilled within the licence, which Shell operates.
The results provide additional insight into the basin and support ongoing efforts to assess the resource and its commercial viability across the licence. Shell is also considering further drilling later in 2026 as part of its wider exploration and appraisal programme.
Eugene Okpere, Shell’s Executive Vice President for Exploration, Strategy and Portfolio, said the results have improved the company’s understanding of the Orange Basin’s potential. He noted that Shell will continue evaluating the opportunity through a structured, data-driven process to determine commercial viability, while working closely with its partners, the Government of Namibia and project teams.
source: oilreview
African Energy Council