Reconnaissance Energy Africa and its joint venture partner, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), have received approval to recommence exploration activities in the northeastern region of the country.
The Mines and Energy Ministry (MME) granted approval for the Second Renewal Exploration Period, which is valid from January 30, 2024, to January 29, 2026.
The approval relates to ReconAfrica’s approximately 6.3 million acres (some 2.5 million hectares) petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 73.
ReconAfrica is an oil and gas exploration company in the Kavango Sedimentary Basin in the Kalahari Desert of north-eastern Namibia and north-western Botswana, where the company holds petroleum licences, comprising approximately ~8.0 million contiguous acres (3.2 million hectares).
“We appreciate the MME recognising the significant capital deployed and the work programme ReconAfrica has executed during the First Renewal Exploration Period on PEL 73 over the past three years. During the first exploration period, the company has exceeded our work commitments through the drilling of three stratigraphic test wells, the acquisition of over 2,750 km of 2D seismic, and a ~5 000 km2 eFTG survey. I would also like to take the opportunity to recognise the efforts of the ReconAfrica and Reconnaissance Energy Namibia teams in executing those programmes safely and for the benefit of the people of Namibia. We look forward to executing an efficient exploration programmeme as we commence our drilling programmeme to test the high-potential Damara Fold Belt and oil-prone rift plays,” said Brian Reinsborough, president and CEO of ReconAfrica.
Under the terms of the Second Renewal Exploration Period, ReconAfrica will acquire additional subsurface data.
This will include either 500 km of 2D seismic data, 1200 km2 of enhanced full-tensor gradiometry data, or a combination of these.
In addition, ReconAfrica will be required to design and drill one exploration or stratigraphic test well.
The approval of the Second Renewal Exploration Period is a key outcome as the company looks to continue exploring the potential of the Kavango Basin within PEL 73.
It is also an important outcome as ReconAfrica continues to progress its farm-out joint venture process.
In a statement, ReconAfrica noted that MME is Namibia’s lead agency in attracting private investment in resource exploration and development through the provision of geoscientific information on minerals and energy resources and the management of equitable and secure title systems for the mining, petroleum, and geothermal industries.
ReconAfrica stated that it holds the primary responsibility for regulating extractive industries, ensuring that safety, health, and environmental standards align with the applicable state and Commonwealth legislation, regulations, and policies.
