Tanzania Gas Discovery by Ophir Energy PLC and BG Group

A third Tanzania gas discovery was recently made by Ophir Energy PLC and BG Group while conducting a deep water exploratory drilling program in the region.

While the actual size of the three discoveries has not yet been disclosed, Ophir Energy has said that there are already early indications that the volume of gas within their acreage could be sufficient enough to support the construction of multiple processing facilities for liquefied natural gas, thereby allowing the gas to be exported to world markets.

The Chaza-1 well, the first discovery in Block 1, is located 18km away off of the Mnazi Bay in the northern part of the Rovuma basin, approximately 200 km south of the two previous Ophir Energy PLC and BG Group gas discoveries on Block 4 in the Mafia basin.

At a total depth of 4,895m below sea level, Ophir Energy has reported a high quality gas bearing reservoir within the Chaza 1 well that has typically been associated with a distinctive seismic anomaly.

Ophir Energy is operator of blocks 1, 3, and 4 with 40% interest, and BG Group has 60%. BG Group has the option to assume operatorship of all three blocks on completion of the initial work program.

According to reports, Chaza-1 is the third of a sequence of three wells that make up a small section of a preliminary work program that will ultimately stretch across the three blocks and combined will cover more than 27,000 sq km at depths of between 100m and 3,000m of water.

Ophir Energy PLC and the BG Group have used a method known as “3D seismic” to determine the depth and orientation of rock formations without having to actually having to drill a well.

So far this year, these two partner companies have shot 3d seismic across 3,200 sq km in Block 3 and Block 4 and are currently working to complete 1,800 sq km area in Block 1.

In addition to the Chaza well, other wells also reportedly exist in the area surrounding and including the Rovuma basin.

The Chaza 1 well is located approximately 40 miles away from another gas discovery in the Rovuma basin known as the Windjammer, which represents the northernmost of the four deep water gas discoveries that have been made by the Anadarko Petroleum Corp. Group within the region.