Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd., a Canadian company engaged in oil exploration in Southern Africa, announced significant progress in drilling its Kavango West 1X well located in Namibia. Operations began on July 31 and are proceeding according to the initial operational schedule.
Drilling progress and technical objectives
The company is currently drilling the 8.5-inch section of the well at a depth of about 1,910 metres. The final casing string is planned at around 2,400 metres, just before entering the Otavi reservoir. This reservoir is the main target of the exploration campaign in the Damara Fold Belt Play, a structurally complex but prospective region.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa plans to drill approximately 1,500 additional metres through the Otavi formation. The final depth of the well is estimated between 3,800 and 4,250 metres. Completion of drilling is expected by the end of November, according to the plan established by the technical teams on site.
Operational framework and communication schedule
The company’s management indicated that field operations are progressing efficiently and safely. The company plans to provide regular updates on drilling before releasing full results expected toward the end of the year.
Operational teams are based in Namibia, where Reconnaissance Energy Africa continues its work as part of its strategy to assess the onshore oil potential of the Kavango Basin. The Kavango West 1X project represents one of the deepest wells drilled to date by the company in this region.
Outlook and monitoring of the exploration programme
The current campaign is part of an exploration programme aimed at testing several geological targets identified in the north-eastern region of Namibia. Accessing significant depth will allow for a better understanding of the formations encountered and an evaluation of the potential continuity of reservoirs identified in previous seismic surveys.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa expects to release preliminary results of this exploration well toward the end of the year. The information gathered will help determine the next steps in the company’s exploration programme in the Kavango Basin.
