Afentra, an upstream oil and gas company focused on production and development assets in Africa, said its Pacassa SW well off Angola has found oil, with 136 metres of net oil pay and potential for up to 70 million barrels of gross recoverable resources across the wider Pacassa SW structure.

Pacassa SW

The well reached a total measured depth of 5,381 metres and encountered a gross hydrocarbon-bearing interval of 217 metres, containing the 136 metres of net oil pay, in the fractured Albian Pinda carbonate formation. Reservoir quality supports the company's pre-drill estimate of 5,000 bopd gross. Initial pressure indications point to limited pressure depletion, confirming communication with the main Pacassa field, and the results are consistent with the company's pre-drill geological model. The net recoverable resource estimate is 23 million barrels, Afentra's 33.33% working interest share once the Etu acquisition completes.

Completion operations are now underway to connect the well to Pacassa production infrastructure, after which the rig will move to its next location. First oil from the well is expected in the third quarter of 2026, with sustainable production rates established after well clean-up and flow-back. Afentra said a Pacassa SW injection well is unlikely to be required at this time, with a final decision due ahead of completion of the current rig operations.

Impala-1 back in production

Impala-1, shut in since 2017, has been returned to production under a Light Well Intervention programme. During testing the well reached gross flow rates of up to 4,700 bopd and is now producing around 3,000 bopd, with output intentionally constrained to manage water cut and longer-term reservoir performance. A slickline intervention identified and removed a shallow wellbore obstruction, after an earlier acid stimulation had not restored the well. Data from the intervention, including reservoir pressure and productivity readings, has been incorporated into planning for the Impala-2 development well.

Impala-2 and Block 3/24

Preparation for Impala-2 continues, with drilling expected to start once Pacassa SW operations are complete, subject to a joint venture decision on the injection well. The well is expected to take about 80 days, with results due at the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, targeting an initial production rate of about 4,000 bopd.

Separately, Afentra completed its first operated offshore campaign on Block 3/24, inspecting the Palanca NE, Quissama-1, Quissama-2 and Golungo-1 subsea wellheads with a compact remotely operated vehicle deployed from a locally contracted vessel. No hydrocarbon leakage or seepage was observed, and the campaign was completed with zero safety or environmental incidents. Afentra said the approach cut survey costs by about 90% compared with conventional contracting rates, completing the work for about $60,000 against a typical $500,000 to $1 million for a campaign of that kind. The data will support the technical evaluation of the block and the maturation of the GPQ development toward a final investment decision.

Paul McDade, chief executive officer of Afentra, said the Pacassa SW discovery provides "clear proof of concept for our organic growth strategy." He said the well's net pay and reservoir quality make it "one of best wells drilled in the Pacassa area."

Near-term catalysts

  • Completion and hook-up of the Pacassa SW production well: Q3 2026
  • Start of the Impala-2 development well, results: end of Q4 2026
  • Completion of the Etu transaction: Q3 2026
  • Publication of HY 2026 results: mid-September
  • Operational update on the redevelopment of the KON 4 Quenguela Norte field
  • Update on the assessment of exploration potential across the Kwanza Onshore portfolio