Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd reported preliminary production testing results from its Kavango West 1X discovery well in Namibia, saying it successfully produced hydrocarbons to the surface from the Elandshoek formation and has now begun preparations to test the overlying Huttenberg formation.
The company said testing of the three lowest zones in the Elandshoek formation, which began on June 8, produced natural gas to the surface during three separate flow tests in the uppermost zone.
Hydrocarbon samples have been collected for laboratory analysis in the United States, while the remaining produced hydrocarbons were flared at the surface. Results of the compositional analysis are expected in the coming weeks.
ReconAfrica said testing equipment is being moved up the well to evaluate three identified zones in the shallower Huttenberg formation. The company said the interval includes 182 metres of reservoir section, with 76 net metres of hydrocarbon pay identified through well log analysis. It estimates testing could take up to 10 days per zone and expects to provide its next operational update in late August.
The company said the Otavi section of the well, including the Huttenberg and Elandshoek formations, was cased and cemented with production casing, allowing six identified zones to be tested individually.
ReconAfrica CEO Brian Reinsborough said that the company was encouraged by the production testing results and the evidence that naturally fractured carbonate rocks in the Elandshoek formation supported hydrocarbon flow.
“We are very excited to have produced hydrocarbons to surface on the Kavango West production test, which are the first hydrocarbons ever produced to surface onshore Namibia,” Reinsborough said.
He added that ReconAfrica is evaluating the possibility of drilling an open-hole horizontal or deviated sidetrack from the existing wellbore to intersect a larger reservoir interval and natural fracture network, which the company believes could improve production rates.
“Our operational team is now focused on production testing the significant net hydrocarbon column in the Huttenburg formation,” he said.
According to the company, three separate zones spanning 163 metres of the Elandshoek formation were perforated, acid treated and production tested. The uppermost 47-metre zone flowed hydrocarbons to the surface during three tests conducted over a combined period of about 24 hours.
ReconAfrica said natural gas and liquids were produced intermittently during the tests, although equipment limitations prevented accurate measurement of flow rates. The company reported tubing pressures increased between production tests, reaching 2,300 pounds per square inch before the second flow test, which it said indicated hydrocarbon deliverability.
Approximately eight litres of hydrocarbon samples were collected for laboratory analysis, which the company said will help determine the composition of the produced fluids, including the presence of natural gas and any associated natural gas liquids. The remaining hydrocarbons produced during testing were flared at the surface.
ReconAfrica holds the project alongside partners BW Energy, which has a 20% working interest, and Namibia’s National Petroleum Corporation (NAMCOR), which holds a 10% carried working interest.