Invictus Energy has awarded several contracts related to the preparation and construction of the Musuma-1 exploration well within the Cabora Bassa Project in Zimbabwe.
The company has selected suppliers for wellpad construction, civil works, access road upgrades and the development of water supply infrastructure required for upcoming drilling operations.
These efforts are designed to support the planned drilling schedule and ensure readiness for the arrival of Rig 202.
Site preparation activities are under way, with the aim of completing the necessary infrastructure ahead of the mobilisation of drilling equipment.
Invictus Energy has completed evaluations of suppliers for key long lead equipment including wellheads and tubulars. It is preparing to finalise contracts for these remaining items, stating that major procurement elements for the well have now been secured.
Exalo Drilling, the contractor responsible for Rig 202, is mobilising a team in Zimbabwe to begin critical maintenance work, in coordination with Invictus Energy’s in-country staff.
This process includes planning for the rig move and acceptance procedures in anticipation of the forthcoming drilling campaign at Musuma-1.
Invictus Energy’s assessment of tenders for well services to support the Musuma-1 campaign is ongoing, with the company expecting to make contract awards in the coming weeks.
The logistics and mobilisation plan is also prepared, focusing on the coordination of equipment, materials and workforce movements from neighbouring countries, with final selection of logistics providers to follow.
Invictus Energy managing director Scott Macmillan said: “Awarding wellpad construction, civils, road upgrade, water supply, long-lead equipment and logistics contracts represents an important step in our preparations for the Musuma-1 exploration well.
“These allow us to move into the field execution phase and ensure the necessary infrastructure, equipment and mobilisation planning are in place ahead of drilling.”
Musuma-1 is scheduled to be spudded in the second half of 2026. According to Invictus Energy, the well will target an estimated gross mean unrisked prospective resource of 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate.
The well is set to become the first drilled outside the Mukuyu area and will focus on potential new resources in the Cabora Bassa Basin.
In February 2025, Invictus Energy secured approval from Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Agency for the environmental and social impact assessment for pilot production activities at the Cabora Bassa Project.
