ReconAfrica has started production testing operations at its Kavango West 1X discovery well, marking a decisive step in determining whether Namibia’s onshore oil ambitions can translate into commercial output.
The Canadian-listed explorer, Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd., confirmed on 26 March 2026 that testing activities are now underway following the receipt of all regulatory permits, with operations commencing on schedule as crews and equipment mobilised to the site.
The programme will evaluate the flow potential of hydrocarbons encountered during drilling, moving the project beyond discovery into a phase where commercial viability can be assessed.
Production liners sourced from North America have already arrived on site and are being installed.
At the same time, service contracts have been secured with major oilfield service providers, including Halliburton and Schlumberger, as well as multiple local suppliers engaged in various support roles.
Updated subsurface analysis has strengthened confidence in the discovery.
ReconAfrica now reports 75 metres of net hydrocarbon pay in the Huttenberg formation, up from an earlier estimate of 64 metres, following the integration of additional rock data and refined log interpretation.
Testing will target six optimised zones across the well, three within the Huttenberg formation and three in the deeper Elandshoek formation, highlighting stacked reservoir potential within the discovery.
In total, 345 metres of prospective reservoir interval will be isolated and perforated during the campaign.
This stage is widely regarded as the most critical in the lifecycle of an exploration well.
While drilling confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons, production testing will determine whether the reservoir can sustain commercially viable flow rates.
The results will ultimately shape the future of the Kavango project and its potential contribution to Namibia’s energy mix, with the company describing 2026 as a catalyst-rich year for its operations.
ReconAfrica’s acreage spans approximately 13 million contiguous acres across the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin, covering parts of northeastern
