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Australia Stock Exchange-listed oil and gas exploration junior, Invictus Energy, is advancing its ambitious exploration programme in Zimbabwe with the launch of the Musuma high-impact drilling campaign — a potential game-changer that could open a new petroleum play in the Cabora Bassa Basin, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The campaign, which could potentially unlock a brand-new play fairway, marks a strategic milestone for the junior explorer as it builds on the momentum of its earlier Makuyu-2 gas discoveries.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Energies Summit in London, Invictus Managing Director Scott Macmillan provided a comprehensive update on the company’s operations and its vision for transforming Zimbabwe into a regional energy player.
“We’ve got a very busy programme over the next 12 to 24 months and beyond,” Macmillan said. “At Cabora Bassa, we successfully opened up the basin with the Makuyu-2 well, making two discoveries in the Upper and Lower Angwa formations. That has set the stage for a much larger appraisal and development campaign.”
The spotlight now turns to Musuma-1, located in a previously untested part of the licence. According to Macmillan, this well could open a completely new petroleum system within the Cabora Bassa Basin.
“We’re drilling a new play in the eastern portion of the licence called Musuma, and it’s really exciting,” he said. “The seismic data shows strong amplitudes and reservoir characteristics that our team is extremely enthusiastic about.”
The Musuma prospect has been defined using modern seismic and geophysical interpretation and could add significant volumes to Invictus’s resource base. A successful result would create multiple follow-up opportunities and expand the company’s exploration and development footprint in Zimbabwe.
“If we open a new play there, that would not only create a much larger programme going forward but also provide flexibility and options for us as we move toward commercialising our gas discoveries.”
Following the Makuyu-2 breakthrough in late 2023 — which confirmed gas-bearing reservoirs in both the Upper and Lower Angwa — Invictus is now executing a multi-pronged appraisal strategy. This includes:
3D seismic acquisition to enhance reservoir imaging and mapping,
Well testing to determine deliverability and fluid properties, and
Further appraisal drilling to define the full extent of the discovery.
“We’re planning to demonstrate a proof-of-concept pilot project to produce gas from the asset,” Macmillan revealed. “This will lay the foundation for larger-scale development and unlock potential markets in Zimbabwe and the southern African region.”
The Cabora Bassa project is now firmly positioned as one of the most promising onshore gas plays in sub-Saharan Africa. Its proximity to major infrastructure corridors, including the Feruka Pipeline and regional power networks, enhances its commercial viability.
With Invictus’s continuous progress, Zimbabwe is emerging as a credible new frontier for natural gas investment — a narrative that stands in stark contrast to the country’s previous absence from global upstream exploration headlines.
Macmillan underscored the importance of forums like the Africa Energies Summit in shaping industry direction and connecting with key stakeholders.
“Events like this allow us to engage potential partners and governments, presenting new opportunities. It’s a vital part of our strategy as we aim to scale and bring this project into production.”
As the Musuma-1 well is drilled and additional appraisal work unfolds at Makuyu, investor attention is likely to intensify around Invictus Energy’s progress and its ability to deliver first gas from Zimbabwe — turning untapped frontier acreage into a source of regional energy security.
