TPDC executes strategic projects to boost gas production
TPDC Director General Mussa Mohamed Makame on Wednesday outlined the country’s natural gas production sustainability plan while briefing reporters in Dodoma on various initiatives being implemented in the energy sector.
He said TPDC is currently overseeing the drilling of three new natural gas wells at Mnazi Bay in Mtwara Region.
According to him, the 235bn/- project involves drilling three natural gas wells within the block, of which two wells (MB-5 and MS-2) aim to increase gas production, while one well (Kasa-1) is expected to open a new field.
He added that preparations for the project began in 2024, and drilling of the first well (MB-5) officially started on February 6, 2026.
“Currently, drilling progress has reached 27 percent, with the first well expected to be completed within one week, after which drilling will continue on the remaining two wells, which are expected to be completed by October 2026,” he said.
He explained that once the first well is completed, gas production will begin from that well while drilling continues on the remaining wells.
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The project, according to the TPDC boss, is expected to increase natural gas production by approximately 45 million cubic feet per day, with 15 million cubic feet per day expected to come online this month.
“This will strengthen energy security for electricity generation, industrial use, household consumption and transport,” he emphasised.
Makame also mentioned another project involving the drilling of wells in the Ruvuma (Ntorya) Block and construction of a raw gas pipeline from Ntorya to Madimba in Mtwara Region, which consists of two components: upstream and midstream.
He explained that the upstream component includes drilling a new well (Chikumbi-1), rehabilitation of one well (Ntorya-1) and production testing of another well (Ntorya-2), noting that its completion will increase natural gas production by about 60 million cubic feet.
“The project is estimated to cost approximately USD 23.5 million. Currently, it is at the stage of procuring drilling services for the Chikumbi-1 well, site clearance for drilling activities and the final stages of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA),” he said.
Apart from this, he said the midstream component involves construction of a 34.2-kilometre pipeline to transport natural gas from the Ntorya field to the Madimba Gas Processing Plant, with a total of 122.7bn/- expected to be spent.
Makame further said TPDC is continuing efforts to identify geological formations that may contain oil or natural gas deposits, thereby increasing the likelihood of new discoveries that could expand Tanzania’s natural gas resources.
He said 3D seismic data technology is currently being used to acquire important geological information covering approximately 736 square kilometres in the Lindi–Mtwara Block.
According to him, the project is expected to cost approximately 107bn/-, covering activities up to the stage of identifying potential drilling locations for exploration wells.
Regarding the oil exploration project in the Eyasi–Wembere Basin Block, Makame said TPDC is continuing exploration through the acquisition of 2D seismic data.
He explained that during the first phase, seismic data covering 260 kilometres were collected, while the second phase aims to collect 1,100 kilometres of data, of which 537 kilometres have already been completed.
A total of approximately 53.4bn/- is expected to be spent to complete the work by June 2027.
Makame noted that all the projects mentioned, along with others, are adhering to the Local Content Policy by ensuring that Tanzanians, especially young people, are employed.
