LISBON, March 31 (Reuters) - Estimates of contingent

resources at Namibia's Mopane offshore field, operated by Galp

, have risen 57% to 1.38 billion barrels of oil

equivalent (boe) after recent appraisal drilling, Canadian

shareholder Sintana Energy ( SEUSF ) said.

Contingent resources are considered potentially recoverable,

but remain subject to technical, economic and other

contingencies.

Sintana said in a statement on its website on Monday that

the increase underscored "the significant resource potential of

Mopane and the broader Petroleum Exploration Licence 83 (PEL

83)" complex offshore Namibia.

Galp, which operates PEL 83 and owns 80%, declined to

comment.

The Mopane discovery is estimated to hold at least 10

billion boe in total resources, but contingent resources are a

fraction of that.

International oil companies have flocked to Namibia, which

currently has no hydrocarbon production, after a string of

high-profile discoveries since 2022 raised expectations the

country could emerge as a significant oil producer.

Sintana, which has a 4.9% indirect stake in PEL 83, said

contingent resources had previously stood at 875 million boe,

rated "3C" under the Petroleum Resources Management System,

implying optimistic recoverable volumes if contingencies are

resolved.

TotalEnergies is in the process of acquiring a 40% stake in

PEL 83 and is set to assume operatorship ahead of a planned

three-well drilling campaign due to start in the second half of

2026.

Sintana said "TotalEnergies has indicated the potential for

significant further resource growth" from a possible inboard

extension of Mopane, as well as two newly identified large

prospects, Quiver and Sobreiro.

A final investment decision is targeted for 2028, with first

oil expected in 2032, Sintana said.

TotalEnergies and Chevron ( CVX ) both hold oilfield stakes near

Mopane.