ReconAfrica Resumed Kavango Well Operations
The company returned to work on its Namibian site to begin horizontal drilling.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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ReconAfrica has officially resumed operations at the Kavango West 1X well in Namibia. Testing at the site successfully identified thermogenic gas, signaling a potential step forward for the firm's exploration efforts.
Why it matters
The horizontal well flow test is critical for determining future well deliverability, liquid yield, and formation pressure response. This data will help the company evaluate the commercial viability of its broader exploration holdings.
Operations are focused on a whipstock set at 2,500 metres to facilitate a horizontal wellbore of up to 1,000 metres. ReconAfrica maintains a total contiguous acreage of 13 million acres across its project areas.
The players
ReconAfrica
ReconAfrica is an oil and gas exploration company focused on the development of sedimentary basins in southern Africa.
Jarvie-1
The Jarvie-1 is the drilling rig unit deployed by the company to perform operational tasks at the Kavango West site.
The details
The Jarvie-1 rig has returned to the site, where teams are currently removing the casing from the vertical well bore. Previous flow test samples from the well indicated maturities ranging from late oil to early gas, confirming the presence of thermogenic gas.
Timeline
ReconAfrica announced the resumption of site operations on September 28, 2026.
The company completed a soil sampling program in Angola during Q2 2026.
Horizontal drilling of the wellbore is projected to begin in October 2026.
The horizontal drilling process is expected to last approximately one month.
The 3D seismic reprocessing at Ngulu is scheduled to finish by year-end 2026.
Market Landscape
This restart follows the pattern of long-term development established by the Kavango Basin oil exploration program. The project fits into a wider strategy of proving hydrocarbon systems across the company's vast 13 million acres of sub-Saharan holdings.
The company's progress serves as a key indicator for stakeholders monitoring the potential for resource development in the region. Investors and partners will be watching the upcoming horizontal flow test results to gauge the site's economic viability.
The takeaway
The return to drilling at the Kavango West site marks a key transition from vertical exploration to horizontal testing. Accurate assessments of flow and pressure from these new drills will dictate the long-term feasibility of the company's current basin-wide strategy.
What happens next
Horizontal drilling at the Kavango West 1X site is scheduled to commence in October 2026, with the process expected to take approximately one month to complete. Additionally, 3D seismic reprocessing at the Ngulu block is slated for completion by year-end 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about industry trends in the Oil and Gas section.
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