ReconAfrica Vertical Testing in Namibia Confirms Hydrocarbon Flow in Two Zones

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. continues its exploration program in PEL 73 in northeastern Namibia, having completed vertical flow testing of the Kavango West 1X (KW1X) discovery well, confirming that certain geological zones contain hydrocarbons capable of flowing to surface, and has subsequently initiated preparations for horizontal open-hole testing.

The vertical production test was designed to determine which zones within the reservoir have the ability to flow hydrocarbons to surface. During the test, the uppermost interval of the Huttenberg Formation in the KW1X well delivered natural gas and potential liquids to surface after perforation without any acid treatment, and was flared through the pressure relief flare stack. Due to previously disclosed equipment limitations, flow rates from this formation were not measured. Production samples, including natural gas and potential liquids, were collected during the test, with compositional analysis results expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The vertical production test confirmed that two of the six target zones identified in the well contain hydrocarbons capable of flowing to surface. The company stated that for such fractured reservoirs, vertical wells are not an optimized development design, and open-hole horizontal wells are required to achieve maximum reservoir penetration and optimal fracture intersection, while remaining consistent with the orientation of natural fractures observed in the reservoir. Horizontal development of the Damara Fold Belt structure is also expected to reduce surface land disturbance and the number of wells required per structure, thereby lowering development costs and improving capital efficiency.

The next testing phase plans to drill an open-hole horizontal section in the upper Huttenberg and conduct production testing, with an optional additional horizontal test in the uppermost interval of the Elandshoek Formation. This test will establish representative flow data across a large exposed reservoir section unrestricted by production casing, cement, and perforations. The Huttenberg Formation was selected as the first horizontal testing target because its natural gas and potential liquids flow to surface, initial log analysis indicates 75 meters of pay zone, matrix porosity exists between large natural fractures, and this formation is approximately 600 meters shallower than the Elandshoek, supporting longer horizontal sections.

The current well design plans to utilize a horizontal section of up to 1,000 meters, intersecting natural fracture clusters at an optimal angle. These fracture clusters were identified through Formation MicroImager (FMI) analysis of wells drilled through the Otavi reservoir, with fracture dips ranging from 50° to 90°, mostly vertical to near-vertical, and the horizontal well will be drilled perpendicular to fracture strike.

The Jarvie-1 rig remains on site for drilling the horizontal sidetrack section. ReconAfrica has procured two high-pressure pumps, a swabbing unit, and other supporting equipment, and has contracted H2OIL for surface operations, equipped with appropriately sized separators. Halliburton continues to provide downhole equipment and services.

The company is also advancing permitting and preparation for the Kavango West 2A (KW2A) appraisal well. Following completion of the KW1X horizontal production test, the partners plan to move to the KW2A location to drill a horizontal well and conduct open-hole horizontal production testing to determine reservoir extent and connectivity.

ReconAfrica operates PEL 73 with a 70% working interest, with partners BW Energy Ltd. (20%) and NAMCOR, the national oil company of Namibia (10%).