TOTALENERGIES has been forced to delay by two months an appraisal drilling campaign on its huge Venus light oil discovery offshore Namibia because the rig it aims to use is tied up working for Eni in Europe. Drilling operations in about 3000 metres of water in Namibia Block 2913B were due to start last month, but the two-well campaign is now expected to begin in November or December, according to an executive familiar with the French company's plans. The official added that the operator may want to secure an alternative drilling unit, but the recent steep rise in dayrates could negate that option. TotalEnergies had lined up the Tungsten Explorer drillship for the Namibian programme once Italian major Eni had wrapped up an exploration well in the East Mediterranean. However, after making a second gas discovery in Block 6 offshore Cyprus with its Cronos exploration probe, Eni exercised an option to keep the drillship to drill an appraisal well on the find. Keith Hill, chief executive of Africa Oil, which has exposure to Venus through its investment in Block 2913B partner Impact Oil & Gas, in September said that Total-Energies is scouting the market for an alternative rig.
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