A high-level delegation from ReconAfrica, Namcor and BW Energy yesterday announced a breakthrough on new drilling results from the Kavango region, where early hydrocarbon indicators have now been confirmed.

Hydrocarbons are used primarily as fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel, and natural gas, but also serve as raw materials for manufacturing plastics, synthetic fibers, rubber, solvents and explosives. 

They are also essential components in lubricants and are used as feedstock for a wide range of industrial chemicals and petrochemicals. 

The delegation briefed President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during a courtesy call at State House, noting that a production test will be conducted in the first quarter of next year to determine whether the find is commercially viable.

The visiting delegation shared operational progress, upcoming exploration plans and the next milestones expected in 2025.

Speaking in a side interview after the discussions, ReconAfrica President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Reinsborough revealed that the discovery was made only weeks ago.

“We just finished drilling that well a couple of weeks ago, and we have a discovery of hydrocarbons,” he said. He added that although further work is still needed to determine scale and viability, the early signs are encouraging. “It’s early days, but we like what we see in this particular well, he said.”

ReconAfrica, which has been exploring northern Namibia for close to five years, plans to return to the site in the coming months for firm scientific testing. 

“Our plans on this location will be to come back in a few months and do a production test on it to see how much oil and gas we can produce from this accumulation,” Reinsborough explained. He said the results of that test will guide the company’s next steps. 

“Our commitment is to take our next steps to praise this discovery. We want to conduct a production test in the first quarter. The results of that will dictate our next steps. We would like to drill another well after that, potentially shoot some seismic, and hopefully be at a commercial decision point by the end of next year,” he clarified. 

The CEO said the update marks one of the most significant public confirmations of possible oil-bearing formations in the Kavango Basin to date.

If confirmed, the Kavango Basin could become another addition to Namibia’s growing oil and gas portfolio, following multiple major offshore discoveries over the past two years. 

President Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed the update and highlighted the importance of cooperation between government, State-Owned Enterprises and private companies as Namibia builds an inclusive energy sector. 

She also praised the continued partnership between investors and local institutions.

“I really wanted the public and the private sector to work as a team in order to address the challenge,” she said, noting the national priority placed on youth employment and economic growth. Reinsborough said the company values its relationship with Namibia and intends to remain engaged long-term.

“I love coming to visit Namibia. I come probably once a quarter. I love working with our partners in the country, and going to the northern part of your country, in Kavango, where we are,” he said.

ReconAfrica currently runs offices in Windhoek and Rundu, employing around 25 staff, with numbers increasing to more than 80 when drilling is active. The CEO said the team executed the well safely and to high technical standards.

“Our operational teams up in the Kavango region drilled this well very efficiently, very safely, and we’re proud of the people on the ground in the Rundu area,” he said.

ReconAfrica was joined at State House by Namcor and BW Energy, its partners in the exploration venture. Senior officials from the ministry of industries and energy, the Upstream Petroleum Unit and the Presidency also attended.

He concluded the interview by putting it plainly as: “Clearly, we’re excited about what we see.”