ReconAfrica Resumed Drilling at Namibia Well
The energy operator has begun horizontal drilling preparations at the Kavango West site to assess reservoir deliverability.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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ReconAfrica has resumed operations at its Kavango West 1X well in Namibia after identifying thermogenic gas in flow test samples. The company is now preparing to initiate horizontal drilling to further evaluate the site's productive potential.
Why it matters
Operators must monitor horizontal drilling results as indicators of potential well deliverability and liquid yield, which are critical metrics for valuing regional resource assets. These technical updates reflect the ongoing effort to define commercial viability across the firm's extensive acreage.
ReconAfrica is managing 13 million acres of contiguous territory while executing work on a 1,214 km2 block offshore Gabon. The firm's recent horizontal drilling process is scheduled to take approximately one month.
The players
ReconAfrica
An energy exploration company focused on identifying and developing oil and gas resources across large, early-stage acreage in Southern Africa.
The details
The operator has deployed the Jarvie-1 rig to remove the casing from the vertical wellbore and set a whipstock at approximately 2,500 metres. This structural adjustment allows for the initiation of a 1,000-metre horizontal section. The subsequent flow testing is designed to measure formation pressure response and liquid yield, which are essential for determining the site's long-term commercial performance.
Timeline
Q2 2026: Soil sampling program completed in Angola.
September 28, 2026: Resumption of operations announced.
October 2026: Potential start date for horizontal drilling.
Year-end 2026: Expected completion of 3D seismic reprocessing in Gabon.
Market Landscape
This activity follows the Ngulu block offshore Gabon seismic reprocessing program, marking a continuation of the firm's regional exploration strategy. The focus on thermogenic gas indicators signals a transition from initial discovery phases to assessing the commercial deliverability of the formation.
Operators in the exploration space should track liquid yield and pressure response data, as these findings often dictate the pace of secondary capital investment. Reviewing permit-related filing timelines can provide early signals on operational readiness for similar regional drilling programs.
The takeaway
The successful transition to horizontal drilling at the Kavango West site is a critical milestone for determining the economic viability of the broader basin. Stakeholders should monitor for the release of flow test data expected following the one-month drilling cycle scheduled for October.
What happens next
Horizontal drilling is anticipated to begin in October 2026, with the process expected to span approximately one month.
Further reading
For more on industry exploration trends, visit the Oil and Gas section.
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