NAMCOR, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, together with joint venture partners Reconnaissance Energy Africa and BW Energy, has announced successful results from the Kavango West 1X exploration well located on Petroleum Exploration Licence 73 in onshore Namibia.
The Kavango West 1X well encountered a gross hydrocarbon section of approximately 400 metres within the Otavi carbonate formation. Of this, 64 net metres of hydrocarbon pay were confirmed by wireline logs and mud log analysis. Additionally, 61 metres of further hydrocarbon shows were identified in deeper sections where natural fractures in the limestone reservoir are interpreted to enhance hydrocarbon deliverability.
ReconAfrica, the operator of PEL 73, completed drilling operations on November 29, 2025, reaching a total depth of 4,200 metres. The well has been temporarily suspended and will be re-entered in the first quarter of 2026 for a production test to determine flow rates and reservoir performance.
NAMCOR’s Acting Managing Director, Maureen Mbuende, commented on the results: “We are encouraged by the results from the 1X well and what this represents for Namibia’s oil and gas future. Each discovery brings us closer to realizing our vision of harnessing our natural resources responsibly to drive national development and energy security.”
Mbuende emphasized that NAMCOR’s partnership with ReconAfrica and BW Energy continues to demonstrate the value of collaboration between international expertise and local commitment. The corporation remains steadfast in ensuring that Namibians benefit meaningfully from the growth of the petroleum sector through skills transfer, employment, and local participation.
This promising result represents another critical milestone in Namibia’s emerging oil and gas story, demonstrating the vast potential of the Damara Fold Belt play and reinforcing confidence in Namibia’s onshore petroleum systems.
Source: namibiaoilandgas.com