Caturus Energy has contracted Nabors Industries to deploy the PACE-X Ultra™ X33 rig, billed as the most powerful onshore drilling system currently operating in the U.S. The move marks a milestone in Caturus’ strategy to expand natural gas production from its South Texas portfolio.
PACE-X Ultra™ rig
Caturus, which produces more than 650 MMcf of net gas equivalent per day across 200,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk, expects the high-spec rig to enhance efficiency and drilling certainty as it targets growth to 1 Bcf/d by 2029. The PACE-X Ultra is engineered to handle 4-mile laterals and vertical depths exceeding 14,000 ft.
“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 features a one million-pound mast rating, racking capacity up to 35,000 ft, and three 2,000-hp mud pumps capable of 10,000 psi. Integration of Cat® Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) allows operators to substitute natural gas for diesel, improving fuel efficiency and cutting 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 underscores Caturus Energy’s reputation for technically complex drilling across South Texas, while further positioning Nabors as a leader in ultra-spec rig technology.
