ReconAfrica targets gas by 2028
ReconAfrica is targeting initial gas production in Namibia by 2028, as the Canadian-listed explorer considers a phased development that could supply electricity to the national grid.
The company is assessing whether gas discovered during exploration in the onshore Kavango Basin can be produced commercially, with chief executive Brian Reinsborough identifying gas-fired power generation as a potential route to market.
Speaking at African Energy Week in October, Reinsborough said the company was considering starting with smaller facilities before expanding production as further drilling establishes the scale and productivity of the resource.
A phased approach could allow ReconAfrica to bring gas to market sooner than a development requiring a large processing facility. However, the 2028 target depends on successful drilling and testing, regulatory approvals and securing the financing needed to establish commercial operations.
Horizontal drilling key to gas ambitions
ReconAfrica’s immediate priority is to establish whether the hydrocarbons encountered during earlier exploration can sustain production at commercially viable rates.
The company is preparing to advance its drilling programme towards horizontal drilling, including a proposed horizontal section of about 1 000 metres.
The approach would allow the company to test a longer section of the targeted geological formation than a conventional vertical well, providing further information about the reservoir’s productivity.
ReconAfrica has previously reported natural gas reaching the surface during testing in Namibia, alongside indications of potential liquids. However, these results have not established commercial flow rates, leaving further technical work necessary to determine whether the resource can support an economically viable development.
The outcome of the next phase of drilling will therefore be critical in determining whether the company can meet its production ambitions.
Gas-to-power offers a potential route to market
ReconAfrica is considering gas-fired electricity generation as one option for commercialising a potential discovery, with existing electricity transmission infrastructure near its exploration area offering a possible connection to the national grid.
Using nearby infrastructure could reduce the need for new long-distance transmission lines. A gas-to-power project would nevertheless require generating facilities, grid connections, commercial agreements and regulatory approvals.
The company is also assessing smaller-scale commercialisation options, including liquefied natural gas, although it has not announced a final development plan, confirmed production volumes or binding electricity sales agreements.
A staged development would allow ReconAfrica to limit its initial infrastructure commitments while continuing to assess the wider potential of its exploration acreage.
Commercial viability remains uncertain
ReconAfrica’s ambitions come as Namibia seeks to develop its petroleum industry and assess the potential economic benefits of its emerging oil and gas resources.
The company’s exploration programme differs from the major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin, focusing instead on the onshore Kavango Basin in north-eastern Namibia.
The company has also highlighted employment, scholarships and community water projects, including solar-powered boreholes, as part of its engagement with communities in northern Namibia.
Its activities have faced environmental and social scrutiny, placing additional importance on regulatory compliance and community engagement as exploration progresses.
The proposed 2028 start would mark a significant step for ReconAfrica if it can demonstrate commercial viability. For now, however, the target remains an ambition rather than a confirmed production date, with drilling results and the economics of bringing gas to market expected to determine the project's future.
