Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (TSX-V:RECO, OTCQX:RECAF) (ReconAfrica) announced that drilling at its Kavango West 1X well on Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 73 in onshore Namibia encountered hydrocarbon pay in the Otavi reservoir section.
The well encountered approximately 400 metres (1,300 feet) of gross hydrocarbon section, including 64 net metres (210 feet) of hydrocarbon pay.
The well also revealed an additional 61 metres (200 feet) of hydrocarbon shows in deeper sections, where natural fractures were interpreted in the limestone reservoir.
Drilling operations at Kavango West 1X were completed on November 29, after reaching a total depth of 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) and conducting an extensive wireline logging program.
The well has been temporarily abandoned and is scheduled for re-entry for production testing in the first quarter of 2026.
Wireline logging indicated roughly 85 metres (280 feet) of net reservoir containing multiple limestone units. Mud and gas samples were collected and will be sent to the United States for analysis. No core samples were taken in the well.
“The results from this well have allowed the Company to proceed to a success case evaluation, which includes conducting a production test of prospective intervals to determine deliverability characteristics from the well,” ReconAfrica CEO Brian Reinsborough said in a statement.
“We are excited about what the results mean for the future of the Damara Fold Belt play on ReconAfrica’s lease position onshore Namibia which covers over six million prospective acres. I am also very proud of the ReconAfrica team who drilled this well safely, on schedule and on budget with strong local stakeholder engagement.”
ReconAfrica plans to conduct a Tubing-Conveyed Perforating (TCP) production test to determine deliverability from the intervals of interest, targeting both the 64 metres of hydrocarbon pay and the 61 metres of deeper hydrocarbon shows.
The testing is expected to run for approximately one month in early 2026.
The company operates PEL 73 with a 70% working interest, alongside partners BW Energy (20%) and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR, 10% carried interest).
Shares of ReconAfrica shot 31% higher in Canada and 33% over the counter in the US on the back of the news.