French oil and gas firm Maurel & Prom (M&P) says it is set to commence drilling three new natural gas wells at the Mnazi Bay field in Tanzania’s Mtwara region this June.
The campaign is part of an $80 million (approximately Sh208 billion) investment announced by the firm in the Mnazi Bay gas field in October 2024 and aimed at enhancing the country’s gas production capacity.
The drilling campaign, scheduled to run through 2026, includes two infill wells (MB5 and MS2) and one exploration well (Kasa).
Maurel & Prom’s Production Superintendent Hussein Chitemo said these wells are expected to contribute an additional 30 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) to the current output, increasing its total production capacity to 130 MMcf/d from the existing 100 MMcf/d across five wells.
M&P holds a 60% operating stake in the Mnazi Bay block, while the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) owns the remaining 40%.
The Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) has granted the necessary approvals for the drilling operations.
The agency is planning Tanzania’s fifth oil and gas licensing round this May.
The Mnazi Bay is a prolific gas field that currently contributes approximately 48% of Tanzania’s total natural gas production, supplying major clients such as the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) and Gasco, a TPDC subsidiary.
The gas is processed at the Madimba Gas Processing Facility before distribution.
As of February, Tanzania’s total natural gas output was 177.18 million MMcf/d, sourced majorly from blocks at both Songosongo and Mnazi Bay.
Recently, Aminex unveiled a new field development plan (FDP) for the Ntorya gas field, located in the Ruvuma Basin, that could unlock 13 additional gas wells over the next decade.
Last week, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told parliament that the ongoing natural gas projects across the country will further improve production and encourage the use of the fuel locally.
This expansion aligns with Tanzania’s strategic goals to boost domestic energy production and explore export opportunities to neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
M&P has been operating in Tanzania since 2005, and this initiative indicates its commitment to keep supporting the East African nation’s energy sector growth and sustainability.
