Invictus Energy’s tests reaffirm light oil, gas and helium deposits

Invictus Energy, an Australian-listed company that is prospecting for oil and gas in Zimbabwe, said on Thursday that the results of the mudgas analytical programme confirm that the Mukuyu-1 site contains light oil, wet gas, condensate and helium.

The miner started drilling at its Mukuyu-1 site in September 2022.

“Further results from mudgas samples reaffirm the presence of light oil, gas-condensate and helium at Mukuyu-1, over a 1,000m interval in the Pebbly Arkose and Upper Angwa formations,” said Scott Macmillan, managing director at Invictus Energy in an update.

Helium is a key component in the manufacture of semiconductors, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels and fibre optic wire.

“Source rock analysis also demonstrates the presence of organic shales, with total organic content (TOC) up to 10 percent, in the same interval as our primary reservoirs in the Upper Angwa, which is mature for hydrocarbon generation and expulsion.”

He said the findings support the company’s basin and geological models for the Cabora Bassa project as well as the existence of numerous hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs in the Mukuyu-1 and ST-1 wells.

“Mukuyu-1 has clearly demonstrated a working petroleum system in this frontier basin and Invictus’ exclusive position in the Cabora Bassa basin bodes well for future exploration success,” he said.

“The Pebbly Arkose and Dande Formation reservoirs remain exploration targets for future drilling activity and will also be tested in the upcoming Mukuyu-2 well, which is on track to spud in September.”

Invictus Energy is the operator at Cabora Bassa, with 80 percent interest.-ebusinessweekly