24 August 2026
Botala Energy Ltd. has recorded early gas observations ahead of full reservoir drawdown at its principal Pitse Pilot well, Serowe-3.5B, marking a milestone for its Serowe Coalbed Methane (CBM) project in Botswana.
Testing at Serowe-3.5B revealed that gas is already desorbing from the coal seam while the fluid level remains roughly 80 metres above the target coal.
The early gas response indicates the reservoir is reaching required pressure thresholds sooner than expected, as dewatering continues at approximately 12.2 barrels per hour.
The Pitse Pilot serves as the commercial proof-of-concept for Botala’s project, which holds an independently certified 2C Contingent Resource of 454 billion cubic feet across less than 5 per cent of its 4,200-square-kilometre exploration footprint.
Support wells within the cluster also delivered positive results. Well Serowe-3.5A successfully flared during a controlled blowdown before rapidly rebuilding casing pressure to 48 psi within three days.
Meanwhile, support well Serowe-3.3 produced substantial gas from the deeper Upper Morupule seam, opening up a potential second producing horizon.
Botala CEO Kris Martinick expressed confidence in the progress as the company targets a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS).
“We are now approaching an important point in the Pitse programme,” Martinick said.
“At well 3.5B, we are seeing gas before full drawdown has been achieved, which is a very encouraging indication that the reservoir is responding as intended.”
He added that establishing sustainable commercial gas flow from Serowe-3.5B remains the next vital step to advance reserves certification, project financing, and off-take discussions.
Project Pitse is the first of four development phases, targeting a cluster of six wells. The initial phase of the Serowe Project targets LNG production of approximately 3.5 petajoules per annum, or 200 tonnes per day, from an anticipated 108-well field.
Botala holds all necessary environmental approvals covering the gasfield, LNG facilities, and pipeline corridor.
Source: https://shorturl.at/9h5DA
