ReconAfrica get environmental clearance to drill in Namibia
Canada-based Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) on July 12 announced that it had received environmental clearance to start drilling activities in its PEL 73 license area, which extends over an area of approximately 25,000 km2 in northeastern Namibia.
The company is involved in exploring the newly discovered deep Kavango sedimentary basin in the Kalahari desert of northeastern Namibia and northwestern Botswana. The company holds petroleum licenses covering approximately 8mn contiguous acres in the region.
ReconAfrica has received its environmental clearance certificate (ECC) from the office of the environmental commissioner, ministry of environment, forestry and tourism in Namibia. The drilling programme is authorised to take place from July 4, 2023, until July 4, 2026.
The company plans to drill an additional 12 exploration and appraisal wells to unrestricted depths in the Kavango basin during this period. The main objective of this drilling programme is to identify commercial accumulations of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, the company said. Previous stratigraphic test wells have already identified these resources, and the company aims to further evaluate their potential through this drilling campaign.
ReconAfrica is currently focusing on developing and prioritising its prospect inventory in preparation for the multi-well drilling programme. The company intends to target both primary plays, namely the Damara Fold Belt and the Karoo Rift Basin, with an initial emphasis on the Damara Fold Belt.