Three wells ignite gas discovery hopes

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA expects to increase its natural gas reserves following the completion of drilling three wells in the Mnazi Bay Block in Mtwara Region, with the government set to announce the volume of newly discovered gas next week.

Minister for Energy, Dr Juma Homera, told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the government would officially launch the three wells on October 26 and 27 at Msimbati Village in Mtwara Region, at an event expected to be officiated by Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi.

He said the development could add to the country’s existing natural gas reserves, estimated at 57.54 trillion cubic feet, strengthening energy security and creating further investment opportunities in the petroleum sector.

“We will announce the newly discovered volume of natural gas on October 26 and 27. The announcement is intended to create opportunities for various stakeholders to invest in the country, add value to natural gas and expand its applications, including electricity generation,” Dr Homera said.

He further said the announcement would create opportunities for investors to participate in developing the country’s natural gas resources, adding value to the resource and expanding its applications, including electricity generation.

He said the drilling programme involved two development wells and one exploration well, undertaken by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) in collaboration with investor M&P.

Dr Homera said the government would also sign and hand over about six petroleum exploration licences to TPDC to strengthen the corporation’s capacity to undertake further exploration.

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He said TPDC was continuing exploration in several areas, including Eyasi-Wembere, Lindi-Mtwara, West Songo Songo, North Mnazi Bay and Ntorya.

“Seismic data acquisition in the Eyasi-Wembere and Lindi-Mtwara blocks is expected to be completed in December this year,” Dr Homera said. At Ntorya, he said preparations are progressing for drilling a production well and installing gas-processing facilities to bring additional supplies into production.

He added, “Construction of a 35-kilometre pipeline linking Ntorya to Madimba has reached 70 per cent completion and is expected to be completed in December this year. Gas production at Ntorya is projected to begin in early 2027, with output expected to reach 40 million cubic feet per day.”