Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) is preparing to drill its second exploratory well in Namibia’s frontier Kavango basin, betting on a less complex geological structure following the company’s initial drilling setback. The new well, expected to spud this quarter, marks a pivotal moment for the Toronto-listed junior as it continues its high-stakes quest for commercial hydrocarbons in one of Africa’s most intriguing emerging basins.
ReconAfrica’s first attempt in the region, the Naingopo-1 wildcat well, was completed in late 2024 under Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 073. Despite high hopes, the well yielded only minor oil shows, falling short of expectations and prompting a strategic reassessment.
This time, the company will target Prospect I, a structure deemed more straightforward geologically than Naingopo. According to the latest independent resource evaluation conducted by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Prospect I could hold up to 1.9 trillion cubic feet of unrisked gas and 365 million barrels of oil. On a risked basis, ReconAfrica estimates the prospect could yield 140 billion cubic feet of gas and 32 million barrels of oil, a substantial prize if commercial quantities are confirmed.
With momentum building and investor eyes closely watching, this second probe could be a make-or-break moment for ReconAfrica’s ambitions in Namibia — a country increasingly viewed as a hotspot for frontier oil and gas exploration.
SOURCE: Oilspot Suriname