Large natural gas and oil reserves have now been confirmed in north-east
But Invictus, which drilled this first hole in four months, is now committed to keeping the drilling rig in
The confirmation of hydrocarbons in
Evaluation of technical data from results of recent exploration drilling have confirmed that the country holds substantial oil and gas reserves similar to recent discoveries in regional countries such as
In 1974,
"To this end, we are extremely buoyed by the positive results from our first Mukuyu-1 well on the project and in
"Our only disappointment was the technical failure to recover a fluid sample that would have allowed us to declare a commercial recovery.
"
Early this month, Invictus announced fluid samples were not obtainable at the Mukuyu-1 well due to technical and operational issues experienced at the site.
Drilling of the Mukuyu-1 well began in September last year. "We encountered a total of 13 hydrocarbon bearing zones with a combined depth of 225 metres in this first well ever drilled in
"The well indicated deeper potential and untested hydrocarbons below the final well depth of 3 923 metres, giving more potential hydrocarbons at depth.
"The well test-work showed fluorescence, which is an indicator of liquid hydrocarbons," said Mr Chimbodza, adding that they could not complete downhole wireline logging (testing instruments) as the well conditions below 3 000m were not favourable and thus they risked losing the wireline logging equipment in the hole.
"We decided and successfully drilled a clean side-track well from 3 618m to 3 923m, which again confirmed the presence of gas and liquid hydrocarbons as shown by fluorescence tests."
International best practice requirements for
He said for various reasons, mostly to do with technical issues and equipment failure and poor performance by one of the service providers, they could not bring the sample to the surface.
"The Mukuyu-1 well has managed to answer an important question on the presence of hydrocarbons in the
"In view of the positive results emanating from Mukuyu-1, the company is continuing with its exploration mandate under SG4571 and various technical activities are planned for 2023.
"Our project teams have been continually at the Mukuyu-1 site for more than four months and deserve a breather to re-charge their batteries for the tasks ahead," said Mr Chimbodza.
"We are staying on site and are continuing operations and are planning further work programmes in 2023.
"We have extended the contracts of all our staff on the project."
Meanwhile, Invictus has extended the Exalo 202 rig contract by another 12 months and the rig will remain in the country in preparation for drilling more wells to augment the positive results that came out of Mukuyu-1.
It is hoped that more seismic surveys around the Mukuyu-1 vicinity would be undertaken after the rainy season, to inform the location of the second well, Mukuyu-2 and others during the course of the year.
The first benefits from commercial production of the basin are likely to come from the natural gas. A gas power station can be built very quickly and natural gas needs little processing to be used as a power station fuel. Natural gas can be used to as the prime feedstock for ammonia-based fertilisers, which is why there is keen interest in a pipeline from Muzarabani to Kwekwe.
Copyright The Herald. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)., source