Invictus Sets November Date for Musuma-1 Well in Zimbabwe

Invictus Energy has fixed November 2026 for the start of drilling at its Musuma-1 exploration well in Zimbabwe after securing the rig needed for the operation, advancing plans to test further oil and gas potential in the Cabora Bassa Basin.

The Australian exploration company has executed a Deed of Variation to its drilling contract with Exalo Drilling, securing Exalo Rig 202 for the high-impact well. Preparatory work on the rig, well services and drilling site is now under way ahead of the scheduled spud.

Musuma-1 is expected to help Invictus assess the resource potential of its Cabora Bassa Project and build on the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery already made within the basin.

Managing Director Scott Macmillan said the revised contract had allowed the company to set a firm drilling date as work advanced on several parts of the programme.

“Following execution of the Deed of Variation with Exalo and commencement of the rig maintenance and readiness campaign we’re pleased to confirm a November spud date for the Musuma-1 well,” Macmillan said.

Site Work Begins Before Drilling

Construction of the Musuma-1 wellpad is scheduled to begin next week, with associated civil works to take place after customary cultural ceremonies involving traditional leaders and local communities.

The company has also completed its evaluation of well-services requirements and is preparing contracts for the outstanding scopes. Those contracts are expected to be awarded in the coming weeks before equipment is readied and transported in stages to the drilling location.

Exalo, meanwhile, will carry out a maintenance and operational-readiness programme on Rig 202 before transferring it to the well site. Once there, the rig will be assembled and prepared for the drilling operation.

Invictus said the coordinated preparation of the drilling equipment, service contracts and site infrastructure had taken the Musuma-1 programme into its execution phase.

The November drilling campaign will test a prospect regarded by the company as capable of expanding the resource base of the Cabora Bassa Project.

Macmillan said Musuma-1 could complement the Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery, giving the project another opportunity to establish the extent of hydrocarbons in the basin.

The company will complete the outstanding service contracts and site preparations before Rig 202 is deployed for the exploration well later in the year.