Invictus Energy has completed construction of the Musuma-1 wellpad, with drilling contractor Exalo Drilling formally accepting the site ahead of a planned November drilling start at the Cabora Bassa Project in northern Zimbabwe, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
The acceptance clears the way for Exalo Rig 202 to be moved from the Mukuyu-2 wellsite to Musuma-1, following the completion of all associated civil works and access road upgrades.
Once the rig has been relocated, Exalo will undertake rig-up and finish the remaining maintenance work before conducting a final inspection and accepting the rig for drilling. The well remains scheduled to spud in November, subject to completion of these activities.
In an update, Invictus Managing Director Scott Macmillan said the completed and accepted wellpad marked an important step towards the drilling campaign.
“The completion and formal acceptance of the Musuma-1 wellpad by Exalo represents another important milestone in our preparations for the upcoming drilling campaign.
“With the wellpad, 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,” Macmillan said.
“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,” he added.
Musuma-1 will test a new play type in the eastern part of the Cabora Bassa Basin, outside the Mukuyu Gas Field. Invictus is targeting an estimated gross mean unrisked prospective resource of 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate.
Previous drilling at Mukuyu-1 and Mukuyu-2 yielded gas discoveries, providing geological encouragement for further exploration. The outcome of Musuma-1 could help establish whether the basin’s hydrocarbon potential extends beyond the Mukuyu area.
Invictus holds an 80% interest in and operates the Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe.
