SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Caturus Energy deploys the most powerful onshore rig in the United States with Nabors

Caturus Energy has signed a multi-year contract with Nabors Industries to deploy a next-generation onshore rig, aimed at supporting the expansion of its gas output in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk formations in Texas.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99€/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Caturus Energy, a natural gas producer operating in South Texas, announced a strategic partnership with oilfield services group Nabors Industries for the deployment of the PACE-X Ultra™ X33, presented as the most powerful onshore drilling system currently in operation in the United States. This collaboration fits into Caturus Energy’s growth strategy, which plans to increase its net production to one billion cubic feet of gas equivalent per day by 2029.

A technological lever to address complex reservoirs

The new rig will be deployed in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk formations, two basins known for geological complexity. The X33 equipment has a one million-pound hoisting capacity, racking system up to 35,000 feet, and three 2,000-horsepower mud pumps capable of 10,000 psi mud pressure. These specifications enable drilling of vertical wells exceeding 14,000 feet and laterals longer than six kilometres.

Eric Kolstad, executive vice president in charge of drilling at Caturus Energy, said this technology would allow the company to maintain high performance while reducing drilling cycle times. The rig will also integrate Cat® Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) technology, allowing partial substitution of diesel with natural gas, contributing to lower operating costs and carbon intensity.

A partnership focused on operational excellence

Nabors Industries, which develops high-technology drilling platforms, designed the PACE-X Ultra™ X33 for high-pressure, high-temperature environments. Siggi Meissner, president of global drilling and energy transition at Nabors, said this project represents an important step in the evolution of onshore drilling. He highlighted the shared ambition of the two companies to push operational boundaries through engineering and technical planning.

This partnership is viewed as a catalyst for future development of complex wells in geologically demanding areas. Caturus Energy, which operates more than 200,000 net high-quality acres in South Texas, continues to rely on technical innovation to optimise its performance in a competitive market.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Carney and Smith unlock pipeline to Asia and amend tanker ban law
Grenergy multiplies its net profit by seven and surpasses €700mn in CAPEX
ExxonMobil freezes Baytown, major blow to US blue hydrogen sector
Post-CfD renewable assets expose investors to increased market risk
South Korea under pressure from the IEA to liberalise its electricity market
Iraq launches joint investigation after drone attack on strategic Khor Mor gas site
The Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities have launched an investigation into the drone attack targeting the Khor Mor gas field, which halted production and caused widespread electricity outages.
PetroChina invests $5.43bn to integrate 11 Gm³ of strategic gas storage with PipeChina
PetroChina internalises three major gas storage sites through two joint ventures with PipeChina, representing 11 Gm³ of capacity, in a CNY40.02bn ($5.43bn) deal consolidating control over its domestic gas network.
European companies exposed to a wave of litigation over Russian LNG contracts
The European Union is facilitating the use of force majeure to exit Russian gas contracts by 2028, a risky strategy for companies still bound by strict legal clauses.
Funds shift from natural gas to EU carbon allowances
Amid an expected LNG surplus from 2026, investors are reallocating positions toward the EU carbon market, betting on tighter supply and a bullish price trajectory.
Axiom maintains $110mn lawsuit against Tidewater over Canadian asset dispute
Axiom Oil and Gas is suing Tidewater Midstream for $110mn over a gas handling dispute tied to a property for sale in the Brazeau region, with bids due this week.
Tokyo Gas commits to importing 1 MTPA of US LNG over 20 years
Tokyo Gas has signed a 20-year agreement with US-based Venture Global to purchase one million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas starting in 2030, reinforcing energy flows between Japan and the United States.
Venture Global accuses Shell of commercial sabotage amid gas supply dispute
Venture Global accuses Shell of deliberately harming its operations over three years amid a conflict over spot market liquefied natural gas sales outside long-term contracts.
TotalEnergies withdraws floating terminal from Le Havre after fifteen months of inactivity
TotalEnergies ends operations of its Le Havre floating LNG terminal, installed after the 2022 energy crisis, due to its complete inactivity since August 2024.
Golar LNG refinances FLNG Gimi with $1.2bn seven-year bank loan
Golar LNG has completed a $1.2bn refinancing for its floating LNG unit Gimi, securing extended financing terms and releasing net liquidity to strengthen its position in the liquefied natural gas market.
Woodside and East Timor target LNG production from Sunrise by 2032
Woodside Energy and East Timor have reached an agreement to assess the commercial viability of a 5 million-tonne liquefied natural gas project from the Greater Sunrise field, with first exports targeted between 2032 and 2035.
Solar output overtakes natural gas in California during peak daytime hours
In California, electricity production from natural gas is falling as solar continues to rise, especially between noon and 5 p.m., according to 2025 data from local grid authorities.
NextDecade initiates FERC process for Train 6 at Rio Grande LNG
NextDecade has launched the pre-filing procedure to expand Rio Grande LNG with a sixth train, leveraging a political and commercial context favourable to US liquefied natural gas exports.
Condor boosts output to 11,844 barrels/day through strategic investment in Uzbekistan
Condor Energies has completed drilling its first horizontal well in Uzbekistan, supported by two recompletions that increased daily production to 11,844 barrels of oil equivalent.
WhiteWater increases Eiger Express pipeline capacity to 3.7 Bcf/d
WhiteWater expands the Eiger Express pipeline in Texas, boosting its transport capacity to 3.7 billion cubic feet per day following new long-term contractual commitments.
New York and the New Jersey face a legal battle over the NESE gas pipeline
The challenge to permits granted for the NESE project revives tensions between gas supply imperatives and regulatory consistency, as legal risks mount for regulators and developers.
Brazil reforms the LPG market and reignites battle between Petrobras and the Big 4
Brasilia is preparing a regulatory overhaul of the LPG sector to break down entry barriers in a market dominated by Petrobras and four major distributors, as the Gás do Povo social programme intensifies pressure on prices.
ExxonMobil restarts Rovuma LNG in Mozambique targeting investment decision by 2026
The lifting of force majeure on the Rovuma LNG project puts Mozambique back on the global liquefied natural gas map, with a targeted capacity of 18 Mt/year and a narrowing strategic window to secure financing.
BW Energy discovers liquid hydrocarbons at Kudu and revises development plan
BW Energy has identified liquid hydrocarbons at the Kudu gas field in Namibia, altering the nature of the project initially designed for electricity production from dry gas.
U.S. associated gas output rises 6% on Permian crude surge
Rising oil production in 2024 boosted associated natural gas to 18.5 billion cubic feet per day, driven by increased activity in the Permian region.
Algeria signs gas deal with TotalEnergies to secure exports to Europe
Sonatrach has concluded a new partnership with TotalEnergies, including a liquefied natural gas supply contract through 2025, amid a strategic shift in energy flows towards Europe.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99€/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.