ReconAfrica begins production testing at Kavango discovery in Namibia

(WO) — ReconAfrica and its partners, NAMCOR and BW Energy, have begun production testing operations at the Kavango West 1X (KW1X) discovery in Namibia, marking a key step toward evaluating the commercial potential of the Damara Fold Belt play.

The production testing program will evaluate six targeted intervals across the Huttenburg and Elandshoek formations, encompassing approximately 420 m (1,378 ft) of hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir. The company said the test is designed to assess hydrocarbon phase and deliverability as it advances appraisal of the Kavango discovery.

The Huttenburg Formation includes 75 m (246 ft) of net hydrocarbon pay within a 400-m (1,312-ft) gross interval of fractured carbonate reservoir. In the deeper Elandshoek Formation, ReconAfrica identified 560 m (1,837 ft) of hydrocarbon-saturated section, including 81 m (265 ft) of hydrocarbon fluorescence and oil shows, as well as oil sheen and oil bubbles observed at surface during drilling.

“We are very excited to be conducting the first cased production test in Namibia,” said Brian Reinsborough, president and CEO of ReconAfrica. “This test is a pivotal point in unlocking the commerciality of the Damara Fold Belt and has been designed to test for hydrocarbon phase and deliverability.”

The company reported that cement bond logging confirmed the well was ready for testing without additional cement work. Downhole perforation operations are now underway with support from SLB and Halliburton. ReconAfrica expects to release production test results by late July.

Each of the six zones is expected to be tested for up to 10 days. Any hydrocarbons produced during the testing phase will be flared.

In parallel with the testing program, ReconAfrica is advancing plans for the next appraisal well on the discovery. The company said permitting and site preparation activities are underway for the Kavango West 2A (KW2A) appraisal well, which it expects to spud before the end of the third quarter, subject to final regulatory approvals.

The production test represents a significant milestone for the Kavango discovery as ReconAfrica seeks to determine whether the play can support future commercial development.