Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd has provided an exploration update for the Kavango Basin in NE Namibia and NW Botswana, highlighting multiple drilling prospects and new play types following the integrated analysis of the two stratigraphic test wells and first phase of 2D seismic
The initial exploration and development is being conducted in the first of five sub-basins within the greater Kavango Basin where the company holds petroleum rights over the entire sedimentary basin comprising approximately 8.5 million acres.
The work has initially identified five drillable prospects (including sidetracking of the 6-2 well) and eighteen leads in the first of five sub-basins. These leads will potentially be matured to drillable prospects driven by the second phase of 2D seismic acquisition currently underway.
Six potential reservoir and four potential source rock intervals have been established in the basin so far. Initial thermal analysis indicates the lower Karoo Rift Fill source rocks should be in the light oil maturation interval.
For 2022, ReconAfrica plans to initiate a multi-well drilling programme, beginning with three test wells and a sidetrack of the 6-2 well. Importantly, these will be the first wells drilled into seismically defined traps with the objective to prove commerciality of this petroleum system. The company and relevant governmental authorities are advancing drilling permits with a target to spud the first of the three wells in Q2 2022.
The Phase 2 seismic acquisition (approximately 600 kms) is ongoing with good progress to date, emphasising prospect definition and extension into new areas to the east and south.
Scot Evans, CEO of ReconAfrica, commented, “Building on the success of our 2021 programme, we are now focused on executing our 2022 seismic acquisition and drilling programme. As we begin this second phase of operations, I would like to recognise the strong support for this project by the Namibian government and local communities, and to thank all the people within ReconAfrica and its local affiliates for their incredible effort in deepening our understanding of the Kavango Basin, what we believe is one of the largest undeveloped onshore basins in the world.”
