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June 2026
Windhoek Observer
ReconAfricahas commencedproduction testing operations at Kavango West 1X discovery well
Source
“Canadian oil and gas exploration company, ReconAfrica has commenced production testing operations at its Kavango West 1X (KW1X) discovery well in Namibia, marking a significant step in assessing the commercial viability of hydrocarbons in the Damara Fold Belt.”
ReconAfricais currently conductingproduction testing at the Kavango West-1X well in PEL 73
Source
“The announcement comes as exploration activity intensifies in Namibia's Owambo Basin, with neighbouring operator ReconAfrica currently conducting production testing at the Kavango West-1X well in adjacent PEL 73.”
ReconAfrica CEO Brian ReinsboroughsaidNamibia's onshore wells can be drilled for a fraction of offshore well costs
Source
“Speaking at the just-ended conference, ReconAfrica CEO Brian Reinsborough said Namibia's onshore wells can be drilled for a fraction of the cost of offshore wells.”
“PEL 73 is operated by ReconAfrica (70%), alongside partners BW Kudu (20%) and NAMCOR E&P (10%), reflecting a strategic joint venture aimed at unlocking Namibia's hydrocarbon potential in the onshore Kavango Basin.”
ReconAfricaannounced positive results fromthe Kavango West 1X well in December 2025
Source
“He says regional exploration activity has strengthened the investment case for PEL 93, citing positive results announced by ReconAfrica from the Kavango West 1X well in December 2025.”
ReconAfricahad intersectedmore than 50m of net reservoir at Naingopo-1 well
Source
“The company says ReconAfrica's Naingopo-1 well had intersected more than 50m of net reservoir, while drilling at the Kavango West 1X well had recorded multiple oil and gas shows, supporting signs of an active petroleum system.”
Canadian oil and gas company ReconAfrica has commenced production testing at its Kavango West 1X discovery well in Namibia's Damara Fold Belt, in partnership with NAMCOR and BW Energy. The programme will test six intervals across two formations covering approximately 420 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing section to assess commercial viability.
Why it matters
ReconAfrica begins production testing at Kavango West discovery well, advancing prospects for domestic oil production and energy security.
Canadian oil and gas company ReconAfrica has commenced production testing at its Kavango West 1X discovery well in Namibia's Damara Fold Belt, in partnership with NAMCOR and BW Energy. The programme will test six intervals across two formations covering approximately 420 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing section to assess commercial viability.
Australian oil and gas company 88 Energy has secured a fully earned 20% working interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence 93 (PEL 93) in Namibia's Owambo Basin. The amended farm-in agreement removes all remaining earn-in funding obligations, reducing 88 Energy's future funding exposure by approximately US$15 million while allowing it to retain exposure to the licence.
Namibia's offshore oil and gas sector continues to draw international interest, with a hydrocarbon licence map showing growing exploration activity across coastal basins and frontier areas. Multiple international oil companies hold exploration licences, with newly allocated blocks involving companies such as Baobab Energy, Elephant Oil, and others, while the offshore Orange Basin remains the main focus following recent major oil discoveries.
A special advisor to the President said policy alone cannot create a competitive local supplier base; Namibia must instead build skills, standards, and capability to meet international oil companies' procurement requirements. President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced Cabinet approval of an upstream local content policy designed to ensure petroleum development delivers socio-economic benefits to citizens.
Namibia's oil and gas industry has shifted from early-stage exploration toward appraisal and development planning, with major international operators like Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp positioning the country as an emerging regional energy hub. The sector is projected to contribute up to 5.8% to GDP annually during production, with first oil and gas expected between 2029 and 2030, provided governance and local content policies are strengthened.
Despite targeting 2030 for first oil production, Chevron and Rhino Resources announced further drilling projects at Namibia's energy conference but neither committed to final investment decisions. The government hopes for FIDs by 2026, though policy uncertainty around gas flaring and regulatory delays are hindering investment confidence.
NAMCOR's upstream subsidiary has welcomed the commencement of production testing at the Kavango West-1X discovery well in PEL 73, onshore Namibia, a joint venture operated by ReconAfrica (70%) alongside partners BW Kudu (20%) and NAMCOR E&P (10%). Testing will span six targeted zones across the Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations through the second quarter of 2026.
Kavango East and West regions are recording development gains including road upgrades, agricultural projects, and town expansions, but local leaders say progress remains uneven and call for faster implementation and decentralised budgets. Recent highlights include a hydrocarbon discovery in Kavango West and major infrastructure projects in Rundu.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has extended 88 Energy's PEL 93 licence until October to allow further geophysical surveys and prospect de-risking. The company plans high-resolution gravity and airborne geophysical surveys in 2026 to refine subsurface understanding and support future drilling decisions.