Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) has commenced production testing at its Kavango West 1X discovery well in north-eastern Namibia, marking a key step in the company’s local exploration programme.
President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Reinsborough said a production liner procured from North America has arrived on site, with crews preparing the well for testing.
“Contracts have been signed with Halliburton and Schlumberger Oilfield Services for equipment and services, while local suppliers have been engaged to provide additional support. Regulatory permits required for production testing have been received and work crews are on site preparing the well,” Reinsborough said.
The production testing programme will cover six optimised zones, including three in the Huttenberg formation and three in the deeper Elandshoek formation. A total of 345 metres of prospective interval has been isolated for testing.
Reinsborough said updated rock data and well log analysis have refined earlier results.
“Petrophysical evaluation indicates 75 metres of net hydrocarbon pay in the Huttenberg formation, an increase from the previously disclosed 64 metres,” he said.
ReconAfrica also operates the Ngulu block offshore Gabon, where the company is reprocessing 3D seismic data over an area that includes the Loba oil discovery.
Upon completion of the seismic work, the company expects to select an appraisal drilling location at Loba and commission a third-party resource report by the end of 2026.
The Ngulu block covers 1,214 square kilometres and contains more than 28 seismically identified prospects across pre- and post-salt plays.
Reinsborough said the company remains focused on limiting environmental impact across its operations.
“In all aspects of our operations, we are committed to minimal disturbance of habitat and implementing environmental and social best practices,” he said.
ReconAfrica holds petroleum licences covering approximately 13 million contiguous acres across north-eastern Namibia, south-eastern Angola and north-western Botswana.
