Tanzania, widely recognized for its vast natural gas reserves estimated at about 57 trillion cubic feet, is now intensifying efforts to advance onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, with Lake Tanganyika emerging as a promising oil frontier.
Expert Insight on Onshore Exploration.
Michael Rego, a seasoned expert with over 13 years of experience in Tanzanian exploration, emphasized that while offshore areas, especially the shallow shelf, hold substantial gas potential, the real short-term energy solutions for Tanzania lie in modern onshore exploration. He highlighted that some onshore regions offer a genuine chance to discover oil, which could quickly address Tanzania’s energy needs.
“The real prizes that will provide a shorter term solution to Tanzania’s energy needs will come from proper modern onshore exploration, where there is a real chance of oil in some regions,” said Michael Rego, underscoring the strategic shift in Tanzania’s exploration focus.
Read also:Ntorya Gas Field: Tanzania’s Next Oil & Gas ‘Mega Project’
Lake Tanganyika Oil Potential.
Lake Tanganyika, part of the East African Rift System, shares geological traits with other East African basins like Lake Albert in Uganda and Kenya, where commercial oil has been found. This similarity boosts confidence in the lake’s potential to host Tanzania’s first commercial oil reserves.
The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has led exploration initiatives, including an Airborne Gravity Gradiometry Survey (AGGS) conducted between 2015 and 2016 to map subsurface structures favorable for hydrocarbons.
Australian company Beach Energy Ltd(formerly Beach Petroleum), holding an exploration license for the lake’s southern half, completed a seismic survey in 2012, reporting excellent data quality and identifying promising geological structures. Beach Energy estimates the block could contain up to 200 million barrels of oil.
Government Initiatives.
Exploration has faced challenges such as the lake’s depth (up to 1.5 km) and financial constraints, which led Beach Energy to return its exploration block to the government.
Although no commercial oil discovery has yet been confirmed, the Tanzanian government remains committed to advancing exploration by preparing to auction 26 new petroleum blocks in mid 2025, aims to attract international investors and revive Tanzania’s hydrocarbon exploration efforts.
Conclusion
Tanzania’s oil exploration is entering a pivotal phase, with Lake Tanganyika at the center of hopes for the country’s first commercial oil reserves. Backed by geological evidence, advanced surveys, and government initiatives, the upcoming licensing round in 2025 signals a renewed and promising chapter in Tanzania’s quest for oil, with significant implications for the nation’s energy security and economic future.
