ReconAfrica drills first Damara Fold Belt exploration well

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) completed drilling operations on the Naingopo exploration well on Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) 073 onshore Namibia.

The well is the first of several to test the potential resource of the Damara Fold Belt to target large anticlinal structures with the purpose of achieving commercial levels of oil and natural gas production. The well reached 4,184 m TD, beyond the original 3,800 m projected TD.

ReconAfrica will undertake a comprehensive logging and coring program including a modular formation dynamics tester for sampling and testing of any hydrocarbons present and a vertical seismic profile, followed by casing and cementing the well.

Naingopo is targeting 181 million bbl unrisked and 15 million bbl risked prospective light-medium oil resources or 937 bcf unrisked and 65 bcf risked prospective natural gas resources.

During December 2024, ReconAfrica will undertake repair and maintenance activities on the Jarvie-1 drilling rig. The company expects to move to the Kambundu (Prospect P) well location after completing the review of the results from current operations. Kambundu is targeting 309 million bbl unrisked and 15 million bbl risked prospective light-medium oil resources or 1.6 tcf unrisked and 64 bcf risked prospective natural gas resources.

PEL 073 is in northeast Namibia and covers an area of about 25,341 sq km. After the initial two Damara Fold Belt exploration wells are drilled, ReconAfrica plans a 3D seismic survey of Kavango Rift basin in second-half 2025 which may result in two additional exploration wells. 

ReconAfrica is operator at PEL 073 (70%) with partners BW Energy Ltd. (20%) and NAMCOR (10%).