News / National
Zimbabwe gas drilling to start in November 2026
2 hrs ago |
36 Views
Australian energy company Invictus Energy has confirmed that drilling of its high-impact Musuma-1 exploration well in Zimbabwe's Cabora Bassa Basin will begin in November after signing a revised drilling agreement with Exalo Drilling S.A.
In a notice to shareholders dated August 10, Invictus said it had executed a Deed of Variation with Exalo for the provision of Exalo Rig 202 to drill the Musuma-1 well.
The company said the revised agreement, together with preparations for the rig and mobilisation of key well services, had allowed it to lock in the November drilling schedule.
"Following execution of the Deed of Variation with Exalo and commencement of the rig maintenance and readiness campaign, we're pleased to confirm a November spud date for the Musuma-1 well," Invictus managing director Scott Macmillan said.
"Musuma-1 is a high-impact exploration well with the potential to materially expand the resource base of the Cabora Bassa Project and complement the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery."
Under the revised arrangements, Exalo will undertake maintenance and operational-readiness work on the rig before moving it from the Mukuyu area to the Musuma-1 wellsite.
Invictus said procurement of the remaining well services was substantially advanced, with commercial and technical evaluations completed and contracts being prepared for award.
"Wellpad construction is scheduled to begin next week, evaluation of well services provision is complete and we're targeting award of these remaining scopes in coming weeks," Macmillan said.
Construction of the Musuma-1 wellpad and associated civil infrastructure is expected to begin after customary cultural ceremonies and traditional protocols are completed with local leaders and host communities.
The civil works will include construction of the wellpad and supporting infrastructure, as well as road upgrades required to transport the drilling rig and associated equipment to the site.
Musuma-1 is targeting an estimated gross mean unrisked prospective resource of 1.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate, according to Invictus.
The company stressed, however, that the figures represent estimates of undiscovered accumulations and are subject to significant exploration and development risks.
Further exploration, appraisal and evaluation will be required to determine whether potentially recoverable hydrocarbons are present.
Invictus described Musuma-1 as its first high-impact exploration well outside the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery area.
The well is expected to test a new play type in the Cabora Bassa Basin and could potentially open up a new resource base in the eastern portion of the company's licence area.
Several high-potential prospects have been identified in the area through the CB23 seismic survey.
The company said the upcoming drilling campaign represented an important step in testing the wider resource potential of the Cabora Bassa Basin.
"The company looks forward to providing further updates as we move into the execution phase of the drilling campaign," Macmillan said.
In a notice to shareholders dated August 10, Invictus said it had executed a Deed of Variation with Exalo for the provision of Exalo Rig 202 to drill the Musuma-1 well.
The company said the revised agreement, together with preparations for the rig and mobilisation of key well services, had allowed it to lock in the November drilling schedule.
"Following execution of the Deed of Variation with Exalo and commencement of the rig maintenance and readiness campaign, we're pleased to confirm a November spud date for the Musuma-1 well," Invictus managing director Scott Macmillan said.
"Musuma-1 is a high-impact exploration well with the potential to materially expand the resource base of the Cabora Bassa Project and complement the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery."
Under the revised arrangements, Exalo will undertake maintenance and operational-readiness work on the rig before moving it from the Mukuyu area to the Musuma-1 wellsite.
Invictus said procurement of the remaining well services was substantially advanced, with commercial and technical evaluations completed and contracts being prepared for award.
"Wellpad construction is scheduled to begin next week, evaluation of well services provision is complete and we're targeting award of these remaining scopes in coming weeks," Macmillan said.
Construction of the Musuma-1 wellpad and associated civil infrastructure is expected to begin after customary cultural ceremonies and traditional protocols are completed with local leaders and host communities.
The civil works will include construction of the wellpad and supporting infrastructure, as well as road upgrades required to transport the drilling rig and associated equipment to the site.
Musuma-1 is targeting an estimated gross mean unrisked prospective resource of 1.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate, according to Invictus.
The company stressed, however, that the figures represent estimates of undiscovered accumulations and are subject to significant exploration and development risks.
Further exploration, appraisal and evaluation will be required to determine whether potentially recoverable hydrocarbons are present.
Invictus described Musuma-1 as its first high-impact exploration well outside the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery area.
The well is expected to test a new play type in the Cabora Bassa Basin and could potentially open up a new resource base in the eastern portion of the company's licence area.
Several high-potential prospects have been identified in the area through the CB23 seismic survey.
The company said the upcoming drilling campaign represented an important step in testing the wider resource potential of the Cabora Bassa Basin.
"The company looks forward to providing further updates as we move into the execution phase of the drilling campaign," Macmillan said.
Source - Newsday
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
