Caturus Energy has announced a multiyear contract with Nabors Industries for the deployment of the onshore drilling rig PACE-X Ultra X33.  

Caturus executes long laterals and deep, high-pressure wells in complex subsurface settings across the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk. 

This collaboration aims to enhance Caturus Energy's drilling capabilities, with a goal to increase net output to 1 billion cubic feet(bcf) of gas equivalent per day by 2029. 

Caturus Energy, which produces 650 million cubic feet of net gas equivalent per day and holds more than 200,000 Tier 1 net acres in South Texas, identified the need for a high-power rig through technical modelling as daily production scaled.  

Caturus Energy executive vice-president for wells Eric Kolstad said: “The integration of this leading-edge technology represents the highest standard of power and performance in the industry and, just as importantly, demonstrates our continued commitment to safe and sustainable operations while improving drilling cycle times.  

“By combining these advanced capabilities with our highly disciplined approach, Caturus Energy will continue ensuring that we meet the world’s energy needs through responsible and competitive growth.” 

The next-generation PACE-X Ultra rig is intended for use in the toughest drilling environments. It features a one-million-pound mast rating, racking capacity up to 35,000ft, and three 2,000hp mud pumps capable of 10,000psi. 

The X33 rig incorporates Cat Dynamic Gas Blending to substitute natural gas for diesel, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions to lower both cost and carbon intensity.  

This deployment is expected to expand Caturus Energy’s technical capabilities in challenging environments.  

Nabors global drilling and energy transition president Siggi Meissner said: “The PACE-X Ultra rig is a significant milestone that showcases what strong collaboration can achieve.  

“Working together with Caturus Energy, we combined innovative engineering with ambitious operational goals to deliver the industry’s most capable rig, purpose-built for the demands of modern unconventional drilling.”