Tanzania: Only 30pc of Oil, Gas Areas Explored

What the report says

Tanzania has explored only about 30% of its identified oil and gas prospective areas, leaving more than 370,000 square kilometres still to be assessed, according to the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), as reported by Daily News via AllAfrica. The disclosure was made in Dodoma by PURA Director General Charles Sangweni during the recent Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition.

PURA said the country has identified roughly 534,000 square kilometres with petroleum potential, while preliminary exploration has covered about 162,000 square kilometres. Sangweni said Tanzania has been exploring for petroleum since the early 1950s and that the target areas are largely sedimentary rock formations, which can be favourable for oil and gas deposits.

The report said Tanzania has not yet found commercial crude oil, but it has made major natural gas discoveries. Total gas reserves are estimated at 57.54 trillion cubic feet, with production under way at Mnazi Bay and Songo Songo and expected to expand with the Ntorya field in Mtwara. PURA said the remaining unexplored areas could still hold future discoveries as exploration technology improves.

The agency also linked petroleum development to broader economic planning, including the LNG project in Lindi Region and efforts to build local skills through institutions such as DIT, UDOM and VETA. The article said the aim is to increase local participation, employment and the sector’s contribution to Tanzania’s Vision 2050 goals.