Tanzania finds 223 billion cubic feet of natural gas
Energy Minister Juma Homera announced the discovery at the Kasa-1X ST2 well in Mtwara's Mnazi Bay area.
Tanzania's Energy Minister Juma Homera announced on October 27 the discovery of an estimated 223 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas at the Kasa-1X ST2 well in Mtwara's Mnazi Bay area. This find follows a three-well campaign by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and French operator Maurel & Prom (M&P). The government stated the discovery will add to domestic gas supply.
The 223 Bcf figure announced by Homera is an early estimate and not yet a certified recoverable reserve. M&P's own technical update on October 22 estimated gas volumes at approximately 200 Bcf gross, or 120 Bcf net to its 60 per cent interest, without classifying it as a reserve. The two production wells, MB-5 and MS-2, are already on stream, increasing Mnazi Bay's output to about 130 million cubic feet a day.
Gas from the Mnazi Bay field, one of Tanzania's two producing gas fields, is used for power generation, industry, transport, and households. The three-well programme was expected to add 45 to 55 million cubic feet a day to the field's average output of 110 million cubic feet a day. First production from the Kasa exploration well is envisaged as early as November.
Why it mattersTanzania has discovered a significant natural gas find that will bolster domestic supply for power, industry, transport, and households.