Caturus Energy hired Nabors Industries to deploy the PACE-X Ultra™ X33 rig, the most powerful onshore drilling system available in the U.S. The ceremony is one of the highlights of Caturus' plans to raise natural gas production on its South Texas properties.
Caturus, with over 650 MMcf of net equivalent daily gas from 200,000 net acres in Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford, expects high-spec rig to increase drilling efficiency and confidence as it ramps up to 1 Bcf/d in 2029. PACE-X Ultra can drill 4-mile laterals and verticals up to 14,000 ft deep.
"With this technology, we're raising the bar for safe, efficient and sustainable drilling," said Eric Kolstad, EVP of Wells for Caturus. "The X33 rig provides unmatched horsepower and performance while reducing cycle times and emissions."
The rig boasts a one-million-pound mast rating, 35,000 ft racking capability, and three 2,000-hp mud pumps with 10,000 psi capacity. Integration of Cat Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) allows operators to substitute diesel fuel with natural gas, improving fuel efficiency with decreased carbon intensity.
Nabors executives said the collaboration demonstrates how next-generation rig design can meet the demands of modern unconventional drilling. "The PACE-X Ultra is a milestone for the industry," noted Siggi Meissner, president of Global Drilling and Energy Transition at Nabors. "Together with Caturus, we've delivered the most capable rig yet for high-pressure, high-temperature environments."
The deployment is testament to Caturus Energy's record of conducting technically demanding drilling within the South Texas region, complemented by additional cementing Nabors as an industry-leading ultra-spec rig technology provider.