Pytheas is a group of highly intelligent geologists, geophysicists, and remote sensing specialists who work in the fields of computer science, artificial intelligence, as well as photography and image processing. The group has been working on projects all over the world since 2009. Team members boast highly successful careers spanning more than 40 years. German computer scientist and electrical engineer, Joerg Enge, leads the Pytheas team and oversees the project.
In order to support the exploration endeavour and offer more accurate readings of the area, BBP and Pytheas partnered in 2021. It was too good to resist the opportunity to work with a group of African business owners who want to start an oil firm from the ground up. Early on, a Namibian exploration company’s theoretical readings and computations served as the foundation for the effort. The only reliable source of information for this project is the
drilling data, even though Pytheas employed a very sophisticated exploratory technique.
Joerg believes that the most difficult problem is finding the patience to go through all of the little procedures required to secure the necessary permits, select the proper technical partners, and balance all interests – and that was just the beginning. Another big concern is the performance of all of the partners, as well as the management team’s ability to communicate at all times with the drillers on site and the advising staff in Germany and Turkey, which has worked brilliantly thus far.
The first stages of drilling are focused on laying a solid foundation for the drilling rig and providing guidance for later efforts to reach the target depth of about 1300m. The first stage travels to a depth of 100m, then 700m, and lastly 1300m. Each hole after the preceding one has a somewhat lower diameter. Overall,
the rock types are exactly what was expected.
Joerg has spent 30 years working as an entrepreneur in Germany, the United States, and Russia in various roles as a strategic manager and technology developer. He initially spoke with Peter Booi remotely in 2021, they both agreed to use Pytheas’ technology to check previous studies done by other parties and, if confirmed right, attempt to model the hydrocarbon presence. In 2023, the entire team from Germany and Turkey travelled to South Africa to support Booi Holdings’ fundraising events and to meet with a variety of local drilling businesses to learn about their expertise and machines.
The project has already faced fundraising obstacles, such as Covid-19 and global political uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the project is currently fully operational.
Pytheas is a group of highly intelligent geologists, geophysicists, and remote sensing specialists who work in the fields of computer science, artificial intelligence, as well as photography and image processing. The group has been working on projects all over the world since 2009. Team members boast highly successful careers spanning more than 40 years. German computer scientist and electrical engineer, Joerg Enge, leads the Pytheas team and oversees the project.
In order to support the exploration endeavour and offer more accurate readings of the area, BBP and Pytheas partnered in 2021. It was too good to resist the opportunity to work with a group of African business owners who want to start an oil firm from the ground up. Early on, a Namibian exploration company’s theoretical readings and computations served as the foundation for the effort. The only reliable source of information for this project is the drilling data, even though Pytheas employed a very sophisticated exploratory technique.
Joerg believes that the most difficult problem is finding the patience to go through all of the little procedures required to secure the necessary permits, select the proper technical partners, and balance all interests – and that was just the beginning. Another big concern is the performance of all of the partners, as well as the management team’s ability to communicate at all times with the drillers on site and the advising staff in Germany and Turkey, which has worked brilliantly thus far.
The first stages of drilling are focused on laying a solid foundation for the drilling rig and providing guidance for later efforts to reach the target depth of about 1300m. The first stage travels to a depth of 100m, then 700m, and lastly 1300m. Each hole after the preceding one has a somewhat lower diameter. Overall, the rock types are exactly what was expected.
Joerg has spent 30 years working as an entrepreneur in Germany, the United States, and Russia in various roles as a strategic manager and technology developer. He initially spoke with Peter Booi remotely in 2021, they both agreed to use Pytheas’ technology to check previous studies done by other parties and, if confirmed right, attempt to model the hydrocarbon presence. In 2023, the entire team from Germany and Turkey travelled to South Africa to support Booi Holdings’ fundraising events and to meet with a variety of local drilling businesses to learn about their expertise and machines.
The project has already faced fundraising obstacles, such as Covid-19 and global political uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the project is currently fully operational.
