Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) has reported encouraging signs of hydrocarbons at its Kavango West 1X exploration well in Namibia, prompting the company to drill deeper than initially planned.
The well, spudded on 31 July, has reached a current depth of 4,158 metres—beyond the original target of 3,800 metres—after the company received approval to extend drilling to about 4,200 metres.
ReconAfrica said the decision followed multiple oil shows and strong natural gas indicators encountered while drilling through the Otavi reservoir package.
“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,” said ReconAfrica president and CEO Brian Reinsborough.
“We plan to conduct an extensive wireline test program to verify the hydrocarbon shows, including fluid sampling and pressure measurements upon reaching total depth.”
Drilling operations were temporarily halted after a drive shaft failure, but replacement equipment has been sourced and shipped to the site. Repairs are expected to be completed next week before drilling resumes.
The company aims to complete wireline logging and release full results before year-end.
ReconAfrica holds exploration licences covering about 13 million contiguous acres across Namibia, Angola, and Botswana within the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin.
The Canadian-listed company also operates the Lung block offshore Gabon and says it remains committed to environmental and social best practices in its operations.
