Chamwe Kaira
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) says it has made strong progress at its Kavango West 1X exploration well in northeastern Namibia. The Canadian oil and gas explorer reported that the well has exceeded expectations in depth and early results.
Brian Reinsborough, president and chief executive officer of ReconAfrica, said he was pleased with the operation.
“I want to thank everyone working on the Kavango West 1X well. Drilling has been carried out safely and efficiently. Early indications from the well are very encouraging, with multiple oil and gas shows and strong, consistent natural gas markers observed throughout the Otavi reservoir package.”
The well was originally planned to reach a depth of 3800 metres but has now been drilled to 4 158 metres. The company decided to extend drilling to about 4 200 metres after promising hydrocarbon indications were observed.
Operations have slowed due to a driveshaft failure, but the needed equipment has been sourced and is on its way to the site. Repairs are expected to be completed next week.
Once drilling resumes, ReconAfrica will begin an extensive wireline logging programme, including core and fluid sampling, to verify the hydrocarbon shows.
The company plans to release full results before year-end.
The Kavango West 1X well was spud on 31 July. Despite the setback, drilling has progressed safely, and oil and gas indicators throughout the Otavi formation suggest a positive exploration outcome. These findings will be confirmed through upcoming wireline tests.
ReconAfrica holds petroleum licences across about 13 million acres in northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola and northwestern Botswana, and operates the Ngulu offshore block in Gabon.
The company says it follows environmentally responsible practices and aims to minimise habitat disturbances.
With drilling moving beyond initial targets and hydrocarbon indications strengthening, the Kavango West 1X well marks a significant step in ReconAfrica’s exploration efforts in southern Africa.
