Based on the positive ongoing deep offshore gas exploration activities, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) expects gas reserves to reach 200 trillion cubic feet until 2017.
The announcement was made by Dr Emma Msaky, acting Director of Exploration and Production of TPDC during the 3rd East Africa Oil and Gas Summit that was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27th and 28th 2014.
The current estimate stands at 46.5 trillion cubic feet, with 3 wells from Tachui and Zafarani expected to contribute soon.
Seventeen licensed international energy corporations, among which are British Gas Group, Norway’s Statoil, Brazil’s Petrobras, Royal Dutch Shell, and Exxon Mobile are currently exploring 19 existing wells in seven deep offshore blocks and one onshore block, with 18 out of them already proven to be yielding gas in the future.
Given this dynamics, Tanzania has an opportunity to become one of the leader suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2025, reaching to countries as Pakistan, China, Spain and Chile.
Due to the capital intensive gas exploration industry, the commercial production of LNG may begin only in 2020, with possibility to start even earlier in case of smooth preparation.
The location of the LNG plant is, however, unspecified until today, with exploration companies to find the best area to construct the plant.
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