Further drilling has been planned to delineate the full extent of the Damara Ford Belt play as Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd confirmed a functioning Petroleum system with the Naingopo exploration well in the Damara Ford Belt in PEL 73,onshore Namibia.
The well is the first in a series designed to assess the resource potential of the Damara Fold Belt, aiming to target large anticlinal structures with the goal of reaching commercial levels of oil and natural gas production (OGJ Online, Nov. 27, 2024).
Reaching a total depth of 4,184 meters on Nov. 26, 2024, the well did not penetrate the primary target in the Otavi above the main fault due to seismic uncertainties. However, the Otavi was successfully reached at the predicted depth below the main fault.
The well confirmed the presence of both Mulden and Otavi stratigraphy, encountering 52 m of net reservoir in the Otavi Group. The Mulden reservoirs were tighter than anticipated. The Naingopo vertical seismic profile (VSP) linked well results to the Otavi seismic event, reducing risks for future Damara Fold Belt prospects. Oil indications through rock fluorescence were widespread in the Otavi Group, with oil recovered at the surface in the drilling mud system. Oil shows will be further verified with side wall cores, isotubes, cuttings, and fluid samples.
The company plans to drill the prospect 1 well before the previously announced kambundu prospect well, with the acquisition and processing of the vertical seismic profile from Naingopo, with July 2025 being the expected spud date.
In addition to Prospect I, Reconnaissance plans a 3D seismic acquisition program in the second half of 2025, covering both Rift basin and Damara Fold Belt sites.
