Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) has resumed drilling at its Kavango West 1X well in northeastern Namibia, moving closer to final horizontal flow testing after raising $16 million to advance its oil and gas exploration programme.

The Canadian explorer said its partnership with BW Energy, which holds a 20% working interest, and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, which has a 10% carried working interest, received the required regulatory approvals to restart horizontal drilling and flow testing.

Horizontal sidetrack targets natural fractures

The approvals include an Environmental Clearance Certificate and an amendment to the horizontal drilling permit, allowing the partnership to proceed with the next phase of work at KW1X. Following receipt of the approvals, ReconAfrica set a whipstock and commenced drilling a sidetrack at the well. Production casing was removed to a vertical depth of 2,289 metres, where the open-hole whipstock was installed.

The sidetrack drilling programme is expected to take approximately one month. The well design targets a horizontal section of up to 1,000 metres in the upper zone of the Huttenberg formation, with the objective of intersecting natural fractures across the Kavango structure.

The planned horizontal wellbore could cross thousands of vertical or near-vertical natural fractures. ReconAfrica intends to complete the well as an open hole, without casing or cement, to maximise potential flow from the natural fracture system.

Flow testing expected before year-end

Flow testing is scheduled to begin immediately after completion of the horizontal well. The wellbore will first be swabbed to remove drilling mud and cuttings, with testing planned before an acid wash.

The programme is designed to establish sustained flow rates, assess reservoir pressure response and determine the yield and composition of liquids in the production stream. Additional fluid and gas samples will also be collected for laboratory analysis.

Testing could take up to one month, with ReconAfrica expecting to disclose results before the end of 2026. The results are intended to provide further information about the reservoir’s performance and the potential productivity of the natural fracture system.

ReconAfrica’s exploration portfolio

ReconAfrica explores the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin across the Kalahari Desert region of northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola and northwestern Botswana. The company holds petroleum licences and access to approximately 13 million contiguous acres across the region.

In addition to its southern African exploration activities, ReconAfrica operates the Ngulu block in shallow waters offshore central Gabon. Covering 1,214 square kilometres, the block is strategically positioned near producing oil fields and existing infrastructure.

The Ngulu block includes the Loba oil field discovery and a portfolio of exploration prospects targeting both pre-salt and post-salt plays.

ReconAfrica says it is committed to minimising habitat disturbance and applying environmental and social best practices in its operating areas, in line with international standards.