The Australian company Invictus Energy announced the award of multiple contracts aimed at preparing for the drilling of the Musuma-1 exploration well, located in the Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe. The decision marks the beginning of a new operational phase focused on completing infrastructure, securing strategic supplies, and coordinating the mobilization of services required for the exploration campaign.
Furthermore, the company confirmed that it is maintaining the planned schedule to begin drilling during the second half of 2026, once preparatory activities at the site are completed.
Well pad construction and civil works progress according to schedule
The awarded contracts include the construction of the well pad along with various civil works necessary to receive Rig 202.
The works include upgrading access roads to facilitate the transport of heavy equipment and the construction of infrastructure for the water supply required during drilling operations. These activities aim to ensure that the facilities are fully operational before the arrival of the drilling rig.
Invictus secures critical equipment for the campaign
As part of the procurement program, Invictus concluded the evaluation of long-lead equipment suppliers and is preparing to award the remaining contracts, including those for wellheads and tubulars.
With this process, the company consolidates the availability of the main components necessary to execute the drilling of Musuma-1 according to the planned schedule.
Exalo Drilling begins activities in Zimbabwe
The contractor Exalo Drilling S.A., responsible for Rig 202, has begun mobilizing its personnel to Zimbabwe to carry out initial installation and critical maintenance activities on the equipment.
These tasks are being carried out in coordination with the local Invictus Energy team and are part of the plan to subsequently move the rig to the well pad and complete the acceptance process prior to the start of the campaign.
Specialized services and logistics enter final phase
In parallel, the company reported that the evaluation of contracts for drilling services and well services is at an advanced stage. The award of these packages is expected in the coming weeks.
Additionally, a logistics plan has already been developed to coordinate the transfer of materials, equipment, and personnel from neighboring countries to the operations area, seeking to ensure the availability of all resources before the start of drilling.
Musuma-1 aims to expand the potential of the Cabora Bassa Basin
Musuma-1 will be the first high-impact exploration well drilled outside the Mukuyu gas and condensate discovery within the Cabora Bassa Basin.
The exploration target features an estimated mean unrisked gross prospective resource of 1.2 Tcf of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate, according to estimates prepared under SPE-PRMS standards. The company believes this well will allow for the evaluation of a new geological target in the eastern part of its license and provide information for future exploration campaigns in the basin.
Scott Macmillan, Managing Director of Invictus Energy, noted that the contract awards represent a significant step forward in ensuring that infrastructure, equipment, and logistics planning are ready before the start of drilling, maintaining the goal of beginning operations during the second half of 2026.
Source: Invictus Energy
