Invictus Energy has started moving Exalo Rig 202 to the Musuma-1 exploration site, ahead of drilling scheduled for November 2026.
The rig, owned and operated by Polish contractor Exalo Drilling SA, previously drilled the Mukuyu-1 exploration well in 2022 and the Mukuyu-2 appraisal well in late 2023. Those campaigns led to a gas and gas-condensate discovery with initial estimated volumes of about 1.3 trillion cubic feet of gas equivalent, or roughly 230 million barrels of oil equivalent, across the Upper and Lower Angwa formations.
The move follows the formal acceptance of the completed Musuma-1 well pad by Exalo, after civil works, drainage and access road construction were finished. The rig is being transferred from the Mukuyu-2 site, with crews undertaking rig-up operations, routine maintenance and readiness activities ahead of final acceptance.
The programme remains on schedule to spud (start drilling) the well in November 2026.
Musuma-1 is located on the Eastern Margin of the Cabora Bassa Basin and is a distinct, undrilled prospect outside the Mukuyu discovery area. The vertical exploration well is targeting a gross mean unrisked resource estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 73 million barrels of gas condensate.
Invictus managing director Scott Macmillan said the move was an important milestone.
“The commencement of the Rig 202 move to Musuma-1 marks another important milestone as we move closer to drilling our next high-impact exploration well,” he said.
“With the key drilling and well services contracts secured, supporting infrastructure completed, and the rig move now underway, preparations continue to advance towards drilling.
“Musuma-1 represents an exciting opportunity to test a new play on the Eastern Margin of the basin, with the potential to identify an additional material hydrocarbon accumulation beyond the existing Mukuyu discovery.”
Despite the Mukuyu discovery, commercial gas production in Mbire and Muzarabani has not yet started. Greenfield onshore gas developments require further subsurface appraisal, flow testing and long-term depletion modelling to support large capital investment.
More: The Herald
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