ReconAfrica says samples collected during earlier testing of its Kavango West 1X well in Namibia have confirmed natural gas with the potential to contain liquids, as the company prepares for further drilling in October.
The company said on Monday that laboratory analysis of samples from the Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations showed thermogenic gas, meaning it was generated deep underground through heat and pressure.
The gas was found to have maturity ranging from late oil to early gas.
ReconAfrica said the results do not yet show how much gas or liquids the well can produce. A new horizontal well and flow test will determine whether KW1X can produce hydrocarbons at sustained rates.
The company’s Jarvie-1 rig has resumed work at the site after maintenance.
ReconAfrica plans to drill a horizontal section of up to 1,000 metres from the existing well. Drilling could start in October, subject to regulatory approval and the arrival of remaining equipment.
The company said the horizontal section is designed to intersect more natural fractures in the rock and improve the chances of hydrocarbons flowing into the well.
Drilling is expected to take about a month, with flow testing to begin immediately afterwards.
The test will measure how much gas the well can produce, how the pressure responds and how much liquid is contained in the gas.
ReconAfrica president and chief executive Brian Reinsborough said the results would be important in determining whether the Kavango discovery can move towards development.
“Measuring a flow rate and determining liquids content at KW1X are essential for moving towards a Final Investment Decision at the Kavango discovery and will provide valuable knowledge on the potential of 22 structures already mapped on our exploration license in Namibia,” he said.
ReconAfrica said the necessary equipment is either already on site or on its way, and the required regulatory amendments have been submitted.
Work has already started in the existing well ahead of the planned horizontal drilling.
The next flow test will therefore be important in determining whether the hydrocarbons identified at KW1X can be produced at commercially meaningful rates.
