Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica) has confirmed hydrocarbon pay at its Kavango West 1X exploration well on Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 73 in northern Namibia, advancing early appraisal of the emerging Damara Fold Belt play.

The well -- drilled to a total depth of 4,200 m -- encountered approximately 400 m of gross hydrocarbon-bearing interval within the Otavi carbonate section, including 64 m of net pay, verified through wireline logs and supported by mud gas anomalies. ReconAfrica also identified an additional 61 m of hydrocarbon shows in deeper zones interpreted to contain natural fractures, which the company believes could improve reservoir deliverability.

"The results from Kavango West 1X have allowed the company to proceed to a success-case evaluation," said Brian Reinsborough, ReconAfrica president and CEO. "We are excited about what this means for the future of the Damara Fold Belt play across our broader acreage position."

Drilling operations concluded on November 29, and the well has been temporarily abandoned ahead of a planned production test in the first quarter of 2026. The testing program -- expected to run about one month -- will target intervals identified on logs using tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) to assess flow potential from both the 64 m of net pay and the lower fractured carbonate intervals.

Wireline data indicate roughly 85 m of net reservoir, and gas and mud samples collected during drilling will undergo further laboratory analysis in the U.S. No core was taken in the well.

PEL 73 covers more than six million acres in northern Namibia. ReconAfrica operates with a 70% working interest, alongside partners BW Energy (20%) and NAMCOR (10% carried interest).

The Kavango West 1X well is one of the first to test the deeper Damara Fold Belt concept onshore Namibia, where interest has grown alongside major offshore discoveries in the Orange basin.