ReconAfrica Starts Drilling Kavango West 1X in Namibia, Targets 1,500m Otavi Carbonate Reservoir
Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) has officially commenced drilling operations for the Kavango West 1X exploration well, located within Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 in northeastern Namibia.
The well is expected to reach a depth of approximately 3,800 meters by late November 2025, with a key target of more than 1,500 meters of Otavi carbonate reservoir—the primary zone of interest within the Damara Fold Belt.
This marks the second exploration well aimed at unlocking the potential of the Damara Fold Belt, a significant subsurface structure spanning 22 kilometers in length and three kilometers in width, identified through recent 2D seismic surveys.
ReconAfrica has identified over 19 potential prospects within the fold belt and recently expanded its exploration footprint by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire an additional 5 million acres in neighboring Angola.
According to President and CEO Brian Reinsborough, the company shifted its drilling focus to Kavango West 1X based on insights gained from the earlier Naingopo well, even though it wasn’t the originally planned next step.
He acknowledged that this strategic pivot caused a brief delay but was necessary to pursue the most technically robust and commercially promising target.
“This is our best chance yet to validate the Damara Fold Belt’s hydrocarbon potential,” Reinsborough said, adding that drilling results are expected before the end of 2025.
Chris Sembritzky, Senior Vice President for Exploration, emphasized the site’s favorable attributes, including its large size, established hydrocarbon migration pathways, and a well-defined four-way structural trap—features identified through learnings from previous exploration work.
He expressed confidence in delivering a safe and efficient drilling operation, thanks to enhanced geological understanding, an experienced team, and optimized drilling tools.
To accommodate drilling priorities, the company has deferred its planned 3D seismic survey—originally scheduled for late 2025—to 2026.
Beyond current operations, ReconAfrica is also evaluating a range of strategic growth opportunities, including acreage acquisitions, joint ventures, and early-stage production deals to accelerate cash flow generation.
The company’s broader exploration efforts span the Damara Fold Belt and the Kavango Rift Basin across northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola, and northwestern Botswana, encompassing a total licensed area of 13 million acres.
ReconAfrica is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (Canada), OTCQX (U.S.), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Germany).
In November 2024, it made history by becoming the first oil and gas exploration company listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange.
