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Project Overview
The Mnazi Bay North Block is strategically located offshore Tanzania in the RuvumaBasin, covering an area of 504.56 km² in water depths of less than 1,000 meters. It lies between two proven natural gas discoveries—the Mnazi Bay Gas Field to the south and Chaza (Block 1) to the north. Its proximity to key infrastructure, including the Madimba Gas Processing Plant and the Mtwara–Dar es Salaam natural gas pipeline, enhances its development potential and commercial viability.
The project is being implemented by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) in line with its mandate under the Petroleum Act of 2015. As part of the national energy strategy, this initiative supports domestic energy security by expanding natural gas supply for power generation, industrial use, and household consumption.
As part of the project’s technical evaluation, extensive geophysical data acquisition and interpretationhas been carried out. A total of 121 line kilometers of 2D seismic data were processed to Pre-Stack Time Migration (PSTM) level, along with 131 square kilometers of 3D seismic data in 2018/2019 were processed to both PSTM and Pre-Stack Depth Migration (PSDM)levels. In 2019/2020 TPDC carried out internal interpretation the 3D seismic data where different prospects were identified. Subsequently, TPDC in 2020/2021 contracted Halliburton to carry out a third party review of the internal interpretation. Based on the analysis, the estimated Gas Initially in Place (GIIP) stands at approximately unrisked 0.968 trillion cubic feet (TCF) as the base case scenario.
The Mnazi Bay North project is structured into three distinct development phases, each aimed at advancing the project from exploration to full-scale production.
Phase I focused on exploration preparation. This phase was implemented in 2020/2022 involved the interpretation of seismic dataand the design of a drilling program for the first exploration well. The work under this phase has been successfully completed in collaboration with Halliburton as Drilling Management Consultant (DMC), laying the groundwork for drilling activities.
Phase II centers on exploration and appraisal. This phase was planned to be effective in the year 2022/2025 with the main objective to drill the initial exploration well to test the identified prospect in collaboration with a strategic partner at cost share in pro rata basis. If the well confirms the presence of gas, an appraisal wellwill be drilled to assess the size and extent of the resource.
Phase III planned to be implemented in the year 2025/2027 which will involve detailed engineering studiesand the construction of infrastructure required for gas production and processing. The facilities developed in this phase will be integrated with the existing Madimba Gas Processing Plant and the Mtwara–Dar es Salaam pipeline, enabling efficient delivery of gas to the national market.
TPDC is actively seeking qualified strategic partners to collaborate in drilling the first exploration well in the Mnazi Bay North Block. This partnership is critical to accelerating the project’s progress, enabling a smooth and timely transition from the exploration phase to the development phase