Staff Reporter
RECONAFRICA has reported significant progress on its Namibian oil and gas projects, highlighting the potential of the Kavango West 1X well in the Damara Fold Belt as the company prepares for production testing early next year. The company’s activities in Angola and Gabon were also advanced during 2025, positioning ReconAfrica for key milestones in 2026.
Following the drilling of its second exploration well in the Damara Fold Belt, ReconAfrica confirmed substantial hydrocarbon discoveries at Kavango West 1X. The well encountered multiple limestone reservoir units within the Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations, with mud and gas samples collected and sent for analysis in the United States. Visible oil sheens and active gas flows were observed throughout the Elandshoek section, and post-well analysis indicated 81 metres of hydrocarbon fluorescence, a clear indicator of hydrocarbon presence.
ReconAfrica, which operates PEL 73 with a 70% working interest alongside BW Energy (20%) and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR, 10%), is moving directly to a controlled production test instead of a traditional drill stem test. The test, expected to commence by the end of the first quarter of 2026, will evaluate up to eight reservoir zones over four to eight weeks. Equipment for the test is being sourced internationally.
During a recent visit to Namibia following the Kavango West 1X results, ReconAfrica and its partners met with Her Excellency President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who recognised the significance of the hydrocarbon discoveries and their potential to support onshore energy development and Namibia’s long-term energy security.
Beyond Namibia, ReconAfrica expanded its operations into Angola and Gabon. In April 2025, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Angola’s National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) for a joint exploration project in the Etosha-Okavango Basin, securing 5.2 million acres at a low cost of entry. In Gabon, ReconAfrica signed a Production Sharing Contract for the offshore Ngulu Block and is preparing to reprocess 3D seismic data in early 2026 to assess the block’s resource potential.
Brian Reinsborough, ReconAfrica President and CEO, said 2025 had been “an active and productive year” for the company, highlighting the strategic expansions in Namibia, Angola, and Gabon, which aim to balance investment risk and set the stage for multiple operational milestones in 2026.
Nick Steinsberger, Senior Vice President of Drilling and Completions, added that the Kavango West production test will allow the company to measure potential production rates and reserve estimates across multiple reservoir intervals, further strengthening ReconAfrica’s position in Namibia’s emerging hydrocarbon sector.
Photo: drillingcontractor.org
