By John Ikani
Australian firm Invictus Energy has uncovered a significant amount of light oil, gas, and helium in remote northeastern Zimbabwe after months of exploration.
In a statement, Invictus Energy confirmed the “presence of light oil, gas condensate, and helium” in samples collected from remote sites near the Mozambique border.
“The discovery proves the existence of hydrocarbons in multiple reservoir pay zones,” the statement added.
The location of the find is significant, as it contains the largest undrilled structure in inshore Africa, according to the Australia Stock exchange-listed firm.
US oil giant ExxonMobil abandoned the search for crude oil in the area 30 years ago.
Analysed samples show that the natural gas composition is consistent, high-quality, and exhibits low inert content, containing less than one percent carbon dioxide.
Exploration started in August, 200 kilometres (120 miles) north of the capital Harare, in a field estimated to hold 20 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Invictus Energy signed a deal for exploration, development, and production with Zimbabwe in 2018, and plans to construct a gas-to-power facility to supply the national grid.
The find is crucial for Zimbabwe, which is currently suffering up to 19 hours of daily power outages.
The discovery of gas, light oil, and helium could lead to the country’s first gas production and help solve Zimbabwe’s power shortage problem.
The find is a boost for the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which is entitled to up to 60% of the output of the project under the terms of its agreement with Invictus Energy.
