KEY POINTS
- ReconAfrica completes Naingopo drilling, targeting hydrocarbons in the Kavango Basin.
- Evaluation program to determine hydrocarbon presence underway.
- Plans include seismic surveys and additional wells by 2025.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica), a Canadian oil and gas exploration company, has completed drilling operations at the Naingopo exploration well in Namibia’s Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 073.
This marks a significant milestone in its efforts to unlock the hydrocarbon potential of the Damara Fold Belt.
The Naingopo well reached a total depth of 4,148 meters, making it the first of several planned wells aimed at evaluating the resource potential of the Kavango Basin. ReconAfrica is targeting approximately 181 million barrels of unrisked oil and 937 billion cubic feet of unrisked natural gas at this location.
Evaluation program underway
Following the drilling, ReconAfrica has commenced a rigorous evaluation program that includes wireline logging, coring, and subsurface data analysis to determine the presence of hydrocarbons. Initial results, expected in the coming weeks, will be crucial in shaping the company’s exploration strategy for the basin.
According to Energycapitalpower, ReconAfrica plans to use the data gathered from Naingopo to refine its drilling targets as it prepares to move on to the Kambundu well, located within the same license area. Kambundu, also known as Prospect P, is expected to target a larger resource base of 309 million barrels of unrisked oil and 1.6 trillion cubic feet of unrisked natural gas.
Kavango rift development plans
After completing the two wells, ReconAfrica intends to launch a 3D seismic survey of the Kavango Rift basin in the second quarter of 2025. The survey is expected to enhance the understanding of subsurface structures and lead to the identification of additional drilling prospects, with plans for two more exploration wells in the pipeline.
Partnership and license details
ReconAfrica operates PEL 073 with a 70 percent working interest, while BW Energy holds 20% and Namibia’s state-owned National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) retains the remaining 10 percent. The license spans approximately 25,341 square kilometers in northern Namibia, a region that has drawn increasing attention from global energy companies for its untapped oil and gas reserves.
Strategic significance
The drilling of Naingopo and subsequent exploration efforts underline ReconAfrica’s commitment to developing Namibia’s energy sector, aligning with the country’s ambitions to become a key player in Africa’s hydrocarbon market. Successful discoveries could position the Kavango Basin as a major contributor to global energy supplies.
With further updates expected soon, ReconAfrica’s progress at Naingopo could provide critical insights into the commercial viability of Namibia’s onshore oil and gas potential.
