Australian-listed oil and gas company Invictus Energy has announced that it will end work on the Mukuyu-1 drill site in Zimbabwe citing impracticalities owing to a variety of factors including poor performance of drilling equipment and difficult terrain.
“Further attempts to obtain a fluid sample are not feasible and the company will conclude operations on Mukuyu-1 and ST1 and demobilize the well services equipment and personnel,” the firm stated.
Invictus began drilling the Mukuyu-1 well in September 2022, with initial plans to drill for between 45 and 60 days. Now, the energy company will be turning its attention to the drilling of a second well on the Cabora Bassa Basin in Muzarabani following the initial testing “establishing the presence of multiple gas zones and potentially liquid hydrocarbon-bearing intervals.”
Invictus is eager to unlock the proposed 20 trillion cubic feet and 845 barrels of gas condensate on the prospect, with the second well expected to also be drilled by Exalo Drilling SA – hired for the drilling of the first well.
“The highly encouraging results from the initial Mukuyu-1 and sidetrack well providing the company with the confidence to keep Rig 202 warm stacked at the Mukuyu-1 location whilst preparations are made for the future drilling campaign for at least one firm well in 2023, with further wells to be agreed,” the firm stated.