Invictus Energy has completed the relocation of Exalo Rig 202 to the Musuma-1 wellsite in Muzarabani, moving the company closer to its planned November drilling campaign targeting a prospect estimated to contain 1.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The Australian-listed explorer said the rig had been moved from the Mukuyu-2 wellsite, with access roads and civil works completed. Work is now focused on rig-up, final maintenance and preparations for inspection and acceptance before drilling begins.
SLB, the oilfield services company, is also expected to begin the final mobilisation of well services as Invictus works towards its targeted spud date.
Musuma-1 is designed to test a gas-condensate prospect identified through the interpretation of multiple two-dimensional seismic datasets. The well has a planned total depth of approximately 3,000 metres and is intended to evaluate an additional prospective play in the basin.
Invictus estimates the prospect has gross unrisked prospective resources of 1.2 Tcf of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate, based on mean estimates. The figures represent exploration potential rather than discovered resources or established reserves, with the outcome dependent on drilling and subsequent evaluation.
The company also expects the well to provide an opportunity to assess shallower prospective formations within the Palaeozoic to Upper Triassic sequence before reaching its primary target.
Managing Director Scott Macmillan said the completed rig move marked progress towards the next stage of the company’s exploration programme.
“Musuma-1 represents an exciting opportunity to test a new play in the Cabora Bassa Basin, supported by seismic data and targeting the potential to identify additional gas and condensate,” Macmillan said.
Invictus is working with Exalo, SLB and other drilling and logistics contractors to complete preparations ahead of the planned November start.
The results from Musuma-1 will determine whether the prospect’s estimated gas and condensate potential can be confirmed through drilling.
