Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) says its Kavango West 1X exploration well in northeastern Namibia has been drilled beyond its planned total depth of 3,800 metres to 4,158 metres after signs of hydrocarbons were encountered while drilling.
In a statement, the company said it plans to carry out extensive wireline logging, including fluid sampling and pressure measurements, before the end of the year to confirm the presence of oil and gas.
“The well has been drilling safely and efficiently. The company is encouraged with the drilling results to date, which show the presence of hydrocarbons through numerous oil and gas shows, as well as strong and consistent natural gas markers on mud logs throughout the Otavi reservoir package,” said Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO of ReconAfrica.
He said ReconAfrica plans to conduct an extensive wireline testing programme to verify the hydrocarbon shows, which will include fluid sampling and pressure measurements once total depth has been reached.
“Due to the scale of what we are testing at the Kavango West prospect and the broader Damara Fold Belt play, we plan to disclose the results when the well has been thoroughly evaluated. We remain on track to provide results prior to year-end,” Reinsborough said.
ReconAfrica said the Kavango West 1X well, which was spudded on 31 July, reached its initial target depth ahead of schedule.
Following the encouraging results, the company received approval to extend drilling to approximately 4,200 metres.
The company confirmed that drilling operations are currently paused after a drive shaft failure, with repair equipment en route to the site.
Once repairs are completed, operations will resume before wireline logging begins.
“All hydrocarbon shows will need to be verified by wireline logging and fluid sampling. Due to the nature of the hydrocarbon indications, the company plans to conduct wireline tests and fluid sampling within the Otavi formation,” Reinsborough added.
ReconAfrica said it remains focused on exploration in the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin, which extend across northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola, and northwestern Botswana, covering about 13 million contiguous acres.
