Tanzania Discovers Significant Natural Gas Deposits in Mtwara Region

Strategic Insights -

Tanzania has made a major discovery in the Mtwara region, where significant natural gas deposits have been found in the villages of Mnyundo and Mpapura. The discovery was made during ongoing exploration activities in the Lindi-Mtwara Block, which covers 736 square kilometers and includes 48 villages across Mtwara and Mtama district councils. The natural gas was found leaking from water wells, indicating promising reserves, and preliminary studies suggest a high potential for natural gas in the area. The discovery is set to boost Tanzania's natural gas reserves, which are currently estimated at around 57.54 trillion cubic feet.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tanzania has discovered significant natural gas deposits in the villages of Mnyundo and Mpapura in the Mtwara region.
  • The discovery was made during ongoing exploration activities in the Lindi-Mtwara Block, which covers 736 square kilometers and includes 48 villages.
  • Natural gas was found leaking from water wells, indicating promising reserves, and preliminary studies suggest a high potential for natural gas in the area.
  • The project involves three wells, with two expected to produce an additional 45 million cubic feet of gas per day.
  • The second-largest population of Tanzania is in the region of Mtwara where the exploration activities are taking place, with a population of approximately 1.9 million people (Source: World Bank).
  • James Mataragio, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Energy, noted that there is up to a 32 percent probability of gas presence in the Lindi-Mtwara Block.
  • The growing demand for natural gas across industrial, domestic, and transportation sectors has prompted the government to step up exploration efforts in line with Tanzania's Development Vision 2050.
  • Tanzania's natural gas reserves are currently estimated at around 57.54 trillion cubic feet, with over 49 trillion cubic feet located in offshore fields.
  • The Ministry of Energy is leading the exploration activities in the Lindi-Mtwara Block (Source: Ministry of Energy, Tanzania).

Statistics:

  • Tanzania's natural gas reserves are currently estimated at around 57.54 trillion cubic feet.
  • The Lindi-Mtwara Block covers 736 square kilometers and includes 48 villages.
  • Two of the three wells are expected to produce an additional 45 million cubic feet of gas per day.
  • Natural gas was found leaking from water wells, which is a promising indicator of gas reserves in the area.
  • Tanzania's offshore gas reserves account for over 49 trillion cubic feet of the country's total natural gas reserves.
  • The estimated probability of gas presence in the Lindi-Mtwara Block is up to 32 percent.

Sources:

  • Xinhua via COMTEX
  • Ministry of Energy, Tanzania
  • World Bank