Business Reporter
THE National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), through its upstream subsidiary NAMCOR Exploration and Production (Pty) Ltd, has welcomed the commencement of production testing operations at the Kavango West-1X discovery well in PEL 73, onshore Namibia.
PEL 73 is operated by ReconAfrica (70%), alongside partners BW Kudu (20%) and NAMCOR E&P (10%), reflecting a strategic joint venture aimed at unlocking Namibia’s hydrocarbon potential in the onshore Kavango Basin. All required regulatory approvals have been secured, and operations are now underway, with work crews on site preparing the well for testing.
Photo: Recon Africa
The Kavango West-1X well has shown encouraging technical data to date. Updated petrophysical analysis indicates approximately 75 metres of net hydrocarbon pay within the Huttenberg Formation, an increase from earlier estimates. Production testing will be conducted across six targeted zones, spanning both the Huttenberg and deeper Elandshoek formations, with a total prospective interval of approximately 345 metres to be tested.
Paulo Coelho, NAMCOR spokesperson, said that the production testing activities are expected to continue through the second quarter of 2026, with results to be released as operations progress, in line with standard industry practice.
Commenting on the development, Mtundeni Ndafyaalako, Acting Managing Director of NAMCOR, said: “The commencement of production testing at Kavango West marks another important step in Namibia’s upstream journey. As NAMCOR, our role is to ensure that Namibia maintains a strategic seat at the table in these developments while creating long-term value for the country. We are particularly encouraged by the integration of local suppliers into these operations, as building Namibian capacity remains central to sustainable industry growth.”
NAMCOR will continue to work closely with its joint venture partners, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure that exploration activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in alignment with national priorities.
