ReconAfrica Flows Gas at Namibia Well, Huttenberg Test Next

"We are very excited to have produced hydrocarbons to surface on the Kavango West production test, which are the first hydrocarbons ever produced to surface onshore Namibia. Knowing that the Elandshoek formation had naturally fractured carbonate rocks, we are pleased to learn that those fractures support production."

Reinsborough added that the operations team is evaluating a horizontal or deviated sidetrack from the existing wellbore to intersect a larger reservoir interval and more of the natural fracture network. Based on analogue reservoirs globally, he said, such a sidetrack could lift productivity significantly.

ReconAfrica holds exploration licences covering around 13 million contiguous acres across the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin in northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola and northwestern Botswana. It also operates the Ngulu block in shallow water offshore central Gabon.

The Kavango West 1X discovery well is being watched closely because onshore Namibia has never produced oil or gas commercially. The Huttenberg test results, due by late August, will tell investors whether the well has the flow rates to justify further development.