Business Reporter
Australian oil and gas developer, Invictus Energy, has awarded a well services contract to global energy technology company SLB for its Musuma-1 exploration well in Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin.
Drilling is scheduled to begin in November this year.
A well services contract is a formal legal agreement between an oil and gas operating company and a specialised provider to deliver the technical equipment, technology and labour needed to drill, evaluate, or complete a well.
The Musuma 1 drilling will mark the third time Invictus will undertake oil and gas exploration drilling in Zimbabwe, specifically the Mbire District of Mashonaland Central Province, in the northern part of the country.
The company has already discovered condensate at its Mukuyu 1 and Mukuru 2 exploration wells and is working on appraisals to determine the size of the resource and bring the wells into production.
Invictus Energy discovered an estimated 230 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), or about 1,3 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and associated gas-condensate, from the first two wells at Mukuyu-1 and Mukuyu-2.
The oil and gas discovery in northern Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin by Invictus Energy means a major chance for energy independence, economic growth, and regional power supply.
The Musuma contract marks a further step towards the commencement of the high-impact exploration campaign, as Invictus accelerates preparations for Musuma-1 drilling, which is targeting a material independent prospect in the Eastern Margin play.
Under the agreement, SLB will provide specialised services, technology and operational resources required for the drilling campaign, with preparations for equipment, logistics and mobilisation now under way.
Invictus managing director, Mr Scott Macmillan, said in a statement that securing the contract had completed another critical component of the drilling programme and strengthened the company’s operational readiness.
“Securing SLB completes another critical component of the Musuma-1 campaign and significantly advances operational readiness ahead of drilling,” he said.
Mr Macmillan said SLB’s involvement would also provide continuity from the company’s previous drilling activities in the basin.
“SLB brings world-class technical expertise, equipment and operational capability, as well as valuable continuity from the successful Mukuyu-2 drilling campaign,” he said.
The latest development comes as preparations at the Musuma-1 site gather pace, with construction of the well pad, access roads and supporting civil infrastructure already under way.
The works are being undertaken ahead of the mobilisation of Exalo S.A.’s Rig 202 and associated drilling and well services equipment to the wellsite.
Invictus said Exalo had also commenced a planned maintenance, inspection and readiness programme for Rig 202 in preparation for the drilling campaign.
Invictus Energy has not yet produced commercial oil and gas from the Invictus Energy Mukuyu wells because the project remains in the appraisal and pre-development stage rather than active commercial extraction.
While the company confirmed significant natural gas and light oil condensate discoveries at Mukuyu-1 and Mukuyu-2 in the Cabora Bassa Basin, several critical steps must occur before production can begin.
Source: Invictus awards well contract for Musuma-1 oil, gas drilling – herald
The post Invictus awards well contract for Musuma-1 oil, gas drilling appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.