Recon reports gas flow

Confirmation
ReconAfrica reports hydrocarbon flow at Kavango West well
Staff Reporter
  • 6 Hours Ago

Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) says natural gas and possible liquid hydrocarbons have flowed to the surface from two zones at its Kavango West 1X (KW1X) well in northern Namibia.


The company said this week that vertical production testing at the well had been completed and that it would now move to a horizontal test of the Huttenberg formation.


ReconAfrica is working with BW Energy, which has a 20% working interest, and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), which holds a 10% carried working interest.


The uppermost zone of the Huttenberg formation flowed natural gas and possible liquid hydrocarbons to the surface immediately after it was opened for testing, the company said.


The hydrocarbons were flared through the well's flare system.


ReconAfrica said flow rates were not measured during the Huttenberg test because of limitations with the equipment used for the vertical testing. It said the necessary equipment had since been procured and was being shipped to the site.


Samples of the gas and possible liquids have been collected and sent to laboratories in the United States for analysis. The company expects the results in the coming weeks.


ReconAfrica said the results meant two of the six zones of interest identified in the KW1X well had demonstrated that they could flow hydrocarbons to the surface.


The company will now drill a horizontal section of up to 1,000 metres through the upper Huttenberg formation.


Horizontal testing is intended to expose more of the reservoir and intersect more of the natural fractures that could allow hydrocarbons to flow through the rock.


ReconAfrica said the Huttenberg formation had been selected for the first horizontal test because of the hydrocarbons observed during testing, about 75 metres of potential hydrocarbon-bearing rock identified in the original well logs, and the presence of natural fractures.


The formation is also about 600 metres shallower than the Elandshoek, allowing for a potentially longer horizontal section, the company said.


The Jarvie-1 drilling rig remains at the site and is expected to drill the horizontal sidetrack.


The company has also brought in additional equipment, including high-pressure pumps, a swabbing unit and a larger separator, to support the next phase of testing.

The results from the horizontal testing will be important in determining the flow rate and potential of the reservoir.


ReconAfrica said the work could ultimately contribute to future resource and reserve estimates and help inform a possible final investment decision on the Damara Fold Belt play.


The company has identified 22 structures on existing seismic data across the licence area and expects that number could increase as more seismic data becomes available.