PURA, M&P meet as drilling project at Mnazi Bay nears
DAR ES SALAAM: The Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) met with the operator of the Mnazi Bay Block, Maurel et Prom Exploration Production Tanzania Ltd – M&P) in Dar es Salaam on Monday to discuss the implementation of the project, which involves the drilling of three natural gas wells.
Chaired by the regulator, the parties discussed various operational issues, including the participation of locals in the project, which is expected to commence in early 2025.
PURA was represented by Simon Nkenyeli, the regulator’s Exploration and Production Manager, while M&P’s General Manager, Mr Sylvain Pichelin, led the delegation from the operator at the meeting.
Mr Pichelin provided clarification on the proposed budget for the project, valued at 80.2 million US dollars, pending approval from the regulator.
Of the three wells, two (MB5 and MS2) will be production wells (infill), while one (Kasa) will be an exploration well.
It was explained that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had already been conducted, pending verification and compensation for people who would be affected during the implementation of the project.
PURA and M&P also discussed the participation of Tanzanians and Tanzanian service providers in the project.
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The PURA representative directed M&P to ensure compliance with local content laws and regulatory requirements, stressing that the regulator was closely monitoring each step of the project’s implementation to ensure that locals are fully involved.
The Mnazi Bay Block currently has five wells producing natural gas at an average rate of 74.24 million standard cubic feet per day (as of September 2024).
The partners in the block, located in Mtwara District Council, are M&P (the operator), with a 60 percent participating interest in production activities, and TPDC, with a 40 percent share.
The drilling of these new wells will help maintain production levels and provide more geological data on the reservoir in the block.
