Canadian oil and gas company Reconnaissance Energy Africa (Recon Africa) has reported steady drilling progress at its Kavango West 1X exploration well in Namibia, with operations advancing into the 8.5in section at a depth of around 1,910 metres.
Drilling commenced at the site on 31 July 2025.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa president and CEO Brian Reinsborough said: “Our operations team members in Namibia are doing an excellent job on the drilling the Kavango West well, both efficiently and safely.
“Drilling remains on schedule — we expect to reach total depth by the end of November.
“We anticipate entering the Otavi reservoir, the primary target for the Damara Fold Belt Play, in October and plan to penetrate over 1,500 metres of potential reservoir section before reaching TD [total depth].
“We look forward to reporting results of this play opening well to all stakeholders around year-end.”
The company plans to set the final casing string at approximately 2,400 metres before progressing into the Otavi reservoir zone in October.
Drilling operations are expected to continue for around 1,500 metres within the reservoir, targeting an estimated total depth of 3,800–4,250 metres by the end of November.
ReconAfrica stated it will release comprehensive well results towards the end of 2025.
The Kavango West programme follows a series of strategic developments for the explorer.
Earlier this year, ReconAfrica signed a memorandum of understanding with Angola’s National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency to explore the Etosha-Okavango basin onshore Angola.
This builds upon the company’s previous drilling activities at the Naingopo exploration well in Petroleum Exploration Licence 073 in Namibia, which were completed in November 2024.
