Namibia has initiated production testing at the Kavango West-1X well in the onshore Kavango Basin, marking a further phase in the country’s evolving hydrocarbons exploration landscape. The activity is being conducted under Petroleum Exploration Licence 73, operated by the Canadian firm ReconAfrica, which holds a 70 percent interest, alongside BW Kudu with 20 percent and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia’s exploration subsidiary with 10 percent.
Field operations are under way following the securing of regulatory approvals, with technical teams preparing and executing testing procedures at the discovery site. According to NAMCOR, updated petrophysical analysis has indicated approximately 75 metres of net hydrocarbon pay within the Huttenberg Formation. This represents an increase from earlier internal estimates and has informed the design of the current testing programme.
The testing phase will evaluate six distinct zones across both the Huttenberg and the deeper Elandshoek formations, covering a cumulative interval of about 345 metres. The programme is expected to continue through the second quarter of 2026, with results to be disclosed incrementally as operations progress.
In a public statement, NAMCOR described the commencement of testing as a significant stage in Namibia’s upstream development trajectory. The country has, in recent years, drawn increased attention within the global energy sector, particularly following major offshore discoveries that have repositioned Namibia within discussions of emerging hydrocarbon provinces.
The Kavango Basin, located in north eastern Namibia, has generated both interest and scrutiny due to its geological potential and its environmental context. Exploration activities in the region continue to be subject to regulatory oversight, with national authorities emphasising compliance with environmental standards and community considerations.
Namibia’s broader energy strategy reflects an attempt to balance resource development with long term socio economic priorities. As exploration extends beyond offshore blocks into onshore basins, the outcomes of initiatives such as Kavango West-1X may shape policy debates around energy security, revenue generation and regional cooperation within southern Africa.
For further information, readers may refer to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia and ReconAfrica for company disclosures and updates.
