Business Reporter
INVICTUS Energy has cleared a major logistical milestone ahead of its upcoming oil and gas drilling campaign in the Cabora Bassa Basin, northern Zimbabwe, following the completion and handover of the Musuma-1 well pad.
A wellhead is the surface equipment installed at the top of an oil or gas well that provides structural support and pressure containment for the wellbore.
The well pad acts as the key interface between the underground well (casing and tubing) and the surface production or drilling facilities.
The successful delivery of the well pad, civil works and access roads by Polish contractor Exalo Drilling S.A. paves the way for the immediate relocation of Exalo’s Rig 202 from the Mukuyu-2 site to Musuma-1.
This transitions the project from civil engineering to active exploration, keeping the frontier oil and gas project firmly on track.
Musuma-1 is the next high-impact exploration well Australian oil and gas developer Invictus Energy will drill in the Cabora Bassa Basin.
The latest development follows the successful drilling at Mukuyu-1 and 2.
Mukuyu-1 and Mukuyu-2 are the first two exploration and appraisal wells drilled by Invictus Energy in the Cabora Bassa Basin, which confirmed a major natural gas and gas-condensate discovery.
The confirmed gas-condensate discoveries at the Mukuyu gas field are transitioning from exploration into appraisal and pilot development, which is expected to have a significant economic impact on Zimbabwe.
Invictus Energy signed a landmark Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement (PPSA) with the Government of Zimbabwe in May.
The PPSA is a hybrid model contract where the State can choose between receiving a share of the profits or a portion of the actual gas produced from the Cabora Bassa project.
Invictus said this morning that the Musuma-1 well pad construction is complete, including all associated civil works and access road upgrades.
“Drilling contractor Exalo has formally accepted and signed off the completed well pad, clearing a key milestone ahead of the rig move,” Invictus Energy said.
Musuma-1 remains on track to spud (start physical drilling) next month.
“Invictus Energy Limited is pleased to provide an operational update on preparations for the upcoming Musuma-1 exploration well at its 80 percent-owned and operated Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe.
“Drilling contractor Exalo Drilling S.A. has formally inspected and accepted the completed well pad, confirming its readiness to receive Exalo Rig 202 and clearing a key prerequisite for rig relocation from the Mukuyu-2 wellsite.
With the well pad and associated infrastructure now completed and accepted, preparations are advancing to commence the rig move from Mukuyu-2 to Musuma-1.
After relocation, Exalo will undertake rig-up activities and complete the remaining planned rig maintenance and preparation work.
These activities will be followed by final rig inspection and acceptance ahead of the commencement of drilling operations.
Invictus managing director Mr Scott Macmillan commented: “The completion and formal acceptance of the Musuma-1 well pad by Exalo represents another important milestone in our preparations for the upcoming drilling campaign.
“With the well pad, civil works and access roads now completed, we have cleared a key logistical milestone and can progress the relocation of Rig 202 from Mukuyu-2 to the Musuma-1 site.
“Our operational focus is now firmly on the rig move, rig-up and completion of the remaining maintenance activities ahead of final rig acceptance and drilling commencement.
“Our schedule remains on track to spud Musuma-1 in November and we look forward to testing this exciting, high-impact exploration target in the Cabora Bassa Basin,” Mr Macmillan said.
The initial discoveries at the Mukuyu gas field (including Mukuyu-1 and Mukuyu-2 in the Cabora Bassa Basin) are estimated to hold approximately 1.3 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas equivalent, or roughly 230 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
Broader independent resource assessments for the overall Mukuyu prospect and surrounding geological structure indicate potential upside of up to 20 trillion Tcf of gas and 845 million barrels of conventional gas condensate.
The broader estimates translate into roughly 4.3 billion to 5.5 billion barrels of total oil equivalent across the broader Cabora Bassa Basin.
