Invictus Energy is moving closer to drilling its next major exploration well in Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin after wrapping up civil works at the Musuma-1 site.
The Australia Stock Exchange-listed explorer said the Musuma-1 wellpad in Muzarabani has been completed and has passed formal inspection by its drilling contractor, Exalo Drilling.
The sign-off clears a critical logistical hurdle and allows Exalo to start moving Rig 202 from the Mukuyu-2 location to the new site.
Musuma-1, planned for November 2026, will be the first high-impact test drilled away from the company’s flagship Mukuyu gas-condensate discovery. The well will be a vertical test of the Eastern Margin play, targeting the Dande Formation at roughly 1,500 metres.
To support the campaign, Invictus has revised its drilling agreement with Exalo through a Deed of Variation. The contract provides for a full rig maintenance and readiness programme before mobilisation. The company has also contracted SLB to provide well services, building on the firm’s involvement in the Mukuyu-2 operation.
According to Managing Director Scott Macmillan, completion of the wellpad and associated access infrastructure means all critical path activities for a November spud are now progressing.
Invictus describes Musuma as a company-making prospect, with an estimated gross mean unrisked potential of about 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate. The estimate remains prospective, pending drilling results.
The upcoming well is viewed as a crucial test of the wider basin potential beyond Mukuyu, where Invictus has already established a material resource base of 4.2 TCF and 264 million barrels of condensate across its 360,000-hectare licence.
Beyond drilling, the firm says it is advancing commercialisation steps, including processing of its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for a pilot gas-to-power development, implementation of its Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement with Government which includes Mutapa Investment Fund participation, and securing National Project Status.
The Cabora Bassa opportunity is set to be profiled at the African Energy Week 2026 summit, where Invictus is listed as a Bronze Partner.
