Tanzania Grants Four Gas Exploration Licenses to TPDC Following 223-Bcf Discovery

Following a recent natural gas discovery in the Mtwara Region’s Mnazi Bay field, Tanzania granted four petroleum exploration licenses to the state-run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi presided over the Oct. 28 signing ceremony. The newly assigned blocks include Eyasi-Wembere, Lindi-Mtwara, West Songo Songo, and Mnazi Bay North.

Operator Maurel & Prom, alongside TPDC, tapped the new reserves via the Kasa-1X ST2 exploration well. State estimates place the discovery at 223 Bcf, while Maurel & Prom offers a preliminary figure of roughly 200 Bcf pending full assessment. According to Energy Minister Juma Zuberi Homera, the well should yield around 30 MMcfd over a minimum 10-year period. Total output from Mnazi Bay climbed to approximately 130 MMcfd in October, according to Maurel & Prom, which owns a 60% stake in the asset, with TPDC holding the remaining 40% (up from 20% earlier in 2024).

Minister Homera noted that over 80% of Mnazi Bay’s production fuels power generation for Tanzania Electric Supply Company facilities across Mtwara and Dar es Salaam. Additionally, construction of a 35-km (22-mi) pipeline connecting the Ntorya gas field to the Madimba processing plant has reached 74% completion.

To date, Tanzania boasts roughly 57.5 Tcf in discovered natural gas reserves, consisting of 47.1 Tcf offshore and 10.4 Tcf onshore. TPDC is currently negotiating with four potential investors to develop small-scale LNG ventures, including three planned for