Oil & Gas

Tanzania’s natural gas potential in the Ruvuma basin has received a significant boost following the release of new 3D seismic data, suggesting substantially larger gas volumes than previously estimated. Fresh analysis of the Ruvuma Oil and Gas Exploration Block in Mtwara indicates potential resources of 3.45 trillion cubic feet (tcf), nearly double the earlier 1.87 tcf estimate. This discovery has renewed investor and regulator interest in the southern region’s geological potential.

Energy authorities and experts emphasize the importance of continued exploration in positioning Tanzania as a leading natural gas producer in East Africa. The revised estimates were presented at a technical workshop in Dar es Salaam, where officials from the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation were briefed on the findings and implications for ongoing exploration activities in the Ntorya area.

The larger volumes emerged after processing 338 square kilometres of newly acquired 3D seismic data from 2022, combined with prior 2D data and results from previous drilling campaigns. General Manager Erhan Saygi stated that the integration of multiple datasets improved geological understanding and increased confidence in additional gas discoveries within the Ruvuma Block.

Following the updated estimates, the block operator and its joint venture partners plan further field operations in 2026, including flow testing of Ntorya-2, workover of Ntorya-1, and drilling of the Chikumbi-1 appraisal well. Verification of these volumes could contribute to long-term energy supply planning and support industrial gas demand in southern Tanzania.