Rhino Resources has extended its offshore drilling campaign in Namibia by amending its existing contract with Northern Ocean for the Deepsea Mira semi-submersible rig.
The original agreement, signed in July 2025, covered one firm well under Rhino Resources’ program in Block 2914A, part of Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 85 in the Orange Basin. Under the revised terms, the companies added an additional firm well test, extending the contract duration by 28 days. The extra test will take place before the previously scheduled three optional wells.
Deepsea Mira began operations offshore Namibia in mid-July 2025, drilling the Volans-1X exploration well—the third consecutive well on PEL85. The block is operated by Rhino Resources, holding a 42.5% working interest, alongside partners Azule Energy (42.5%), NAMCOR (10%), and Korres Investments (5%).
The ongoing campaign recently yielded a significant gas condensate discovery with high liquid content, following the well spudded on 31 July 2025. Northern Ocean stated that the extension increases its firm backlog to approximately $394 million.
Built in 2019, the Deepsea Mira is a sixth-generation Moss Maritime CS60E semi-submersible drilling unit. The rig, owned by Northern Ocean and managed by Odfjell Drilling, is equipped for operations in both harsh and benign environments and can operate in water depths up to 3,000 meters.
