Orca contracts shallow-water rig for Songo Songo offshore Tanzania

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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Orca Exploration Group has started the first phase of the Songo Songo development program offshore Tanzania.

This follows World Bank’s approval for International Finance Corp.’s (IFC) investment.

Orca has entered into a drilling contract with Paragon Offshore for
the use of its M826 mobile drilling workover rig and associated services
for the offshore phase of the Songo Songo gas field program.

The rig can operate in the shallow water operating environment around
Songo Songo Island, which Orca describes as “somewhat unique.” 
However, the company still needs to obtain certain regulatory and
contractual approvals related to certain aspects of the development
program.

Drilling should start between Aug. 1 and Sept. 21. The contract has a minimum 90-day duration.

Operations will likely include workovers (removal and replacement of
production tubing strings) on the existing SS‑5, SS-7 and SS-9 wells,
and drilling of one new well, SS-J. Orca has the option to drill a
further two wells, pending the outcome of the workovers.

Maurel et Prom reports Promising results of the MB-4 development well in Tanzania

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Manzi
Bay operator Maurel et Prom has announced that the MB-4 development
well, drilled 800 m from the MB-2 and MB-3 wells at the Mnazi Bay gas
field, has crossed Miocene gas reservoirs with net pay of 24 metres
(Upper Mnazi Bay) and 43 metres (Lower Mnazi Bay) respectively, both
ranked among the best of the five wells drilled at this field so far.

According to Maurel et Prom pressure measurements have confirmed the
lateral and the vertical connectivity of each reservoir with the two
reservoirs having been selectively tested at different two-hour
stabilised flows, with the following results:

MB-4

The well will be connected to the production faculties currently
being installed at the field, for start-up in the third quarter of 2015.
MB-4 well deepening to the Oligocene was interrupted after encountering
high-pressure intervals of unknown origin.

Maurel et Prom adds that the well’s results confirm the Group’s
ability to produce additional output over and above the initial 80
MMscfd, to deliver 110 to 130 MMscfd and based on these results and on
the initial production scheduled for third quarter 2015, the next
assessment of reserves at the Mnazi Bay field should confirm the
previously accepted gas volumes.

The MB-4 development well spud in March and is ongoing with drilling operations expected to be completed in 90 days.

International Trade Exhibition and Conference on oil & gas

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About International Trade Exhibition and Conference on oil & gas:

The first Oil & Gas Africa – Int’l Trade Exhibition, will be held
from the 27th to the 29th of August 2015. This event will be the hub for
key players in the Oil and Gas industry, attracting leading oil, gas
and petroleum companies from around the world.

27 Aug 15, 08:00 AM To 29 Aug 15, 06:00 PM

Dar Es Salaam

Location/Directions:

Mlimani Conference Center

THESE ARE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES

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Industry activities include:

1.Exploration

2.Drilling

3.Field activities

4. Recovery – 3 stages (primary, secondary and enhanced oil recovery). The three stages of recovery may take 30 to 40
years to complete

5. Water disposal

6. Refining and marketing

7. Transportation

8. Expansion and contraction of plants, buildings and equipment

9. Preventive maintenance and safety

10. Major renovations, upgrading and replacement of facilities

TPDC waanza kutafiti gesi, mafuta Mkinga

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SHIRIKA la Maendeleo ya Petrol nchini, TPDC limeanza utafiti wakijiolojia wa utafutaji mafuta na gesi katika vijiji vya Gombero mkoani Tanga.

Kutokana na hilo shirika hilo limeanza kutekeleza mradi wa uchongaji wa mashimo mafupi,visima vifupi kumi kwa ajili ya shughuli hiyo ya utafiti. Mradi huo unafanywa na kumilikiwa TPDC kwa asilimia 100.

Akizindua mradi huo Mgeologia, Amina Kagera alisema lengo kubwa la mradi huo ni kuwapa mafunzo wataalam vijana wa TPDC kwa kuwatumia wataalam wa ndani ya shirika waliobobea.

Alisema fursa  hiyo itawapa hamasa vijana kufanya tafiti mbalimbali nchini lengo likiwa ni uendelezaji wa utafutaji wa mafuta na gesi kwa faida ya watanzania wote.

“Mradi huu ulianza rasmi mwaka 2010 ukiwa na malengo ya kuwajengea uwezo wataalam wa sayansi ya utafutaji wa mafuta na gesi ambao hawakuwa na msingi wa taaluma ya kijiolojia kama wale wa fani ya jiofizikia na uhandisi”alisema Kagera

Kagera alisema mradi huo unahusisha wataalam wa kukusanya sampuli za jiolojia,jiokemikia na kuchambua sampuli, kufanya tafiti mbalimbali kuhusisha sampuli hizo na utengenezaji wa ramani za kijiolojia katika maeneo husika.

Alisema pia utaongeza thamani katika mabonde ya Tanzania ambapo shughuli za utafutaji wa mafuta na gesi hufanyika.

“Mwaka 2012 hadi 2013 baada ya kazi za vitendo katika maeneo ya Kakindu na Mto kibindo karibu na bwawa la Nairobi,Gombero Mkoani Tanga wataalam waligundua uwepo mkubwa wa miamba tabaka aina ya Shalena,Silti Shale na makaa ya mawe” alisema Kagera

Naye Mkurugenzi wa Utafiti, Emma Msaky alisema malengo makuu ya mradi huo ni kuzidi kuyaanisha maeneo ya utafutaji wa mafuta na gesi ili kujua uwepo wa miamba ya uzalishaji wa nishati hizo.

Alizitaja gharama za uchorongaji wa mashimo hayo na visima hivyo vifupi ni takribani dola za Kimarekani 195,000 ambapo fedha zote hulipwa na TPDC kutoka kwenye mfuko wake wa fedha za miradi ya maendeleo.

3rd TANZANIA OIL AND GAS SUPPLIERS CONFERENCE

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Welcome to the 3rd TANZANIA OIL AND GAS SUPPLIERS CONFERENCE on
11th – 12th June 2015, HYATT REGENCY KILIMANJARO

Tanzania Oil and Gas Suppliers Conference (TOGSC) is a conference cum exhibition that will bring together key players from the supply chain together with stakeholders from the government and the oil and gas industry to discuss and engage on the different opportunities and challenges within the East Africa Scenario particularly Tanzania.
This conference that will incorporate suppliers within the oil and gas industry is a strategic event that has come at the right time considering the recent large and world class deposits of oil and gas in Mtwara and Lindi with potential for more to be discovered.
Within this new burgeoning oil and gas industry there is a need to bridge the gap of the supply chain between the suppliers/ service providers and the oil and gas industry Stakeholders. The conference will give suppliers especially the local Tanzanian suppliers the channels and means to harness and cater for this massive industry.
TOGSC is aimed at being the ultimate link between the Supply Chain and the stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Industry in Tanzania by empowering and building capacity. The outcomes of this conference shall assist the government in creating policies that favour the supply chain amidst them being able to be competitively being able to meet the need of the stakeholders on the Oil and Gas industry in Tanzania.
TOGSC networking events offer the opportunity to develop and strengthen your business relationships. If you’re in the Oil and Gas industry then this is a great platform for you to meet your peers – These events are attended by visitors, conference delegates and exhibitors alike.
2015 SPEAKERS
  • David L. Ross, 
    Managing director,Statera Capital Limited.
  • Mr. Richard Kasesela, 
    Chairman Mining Advisory Board,Ministry of Energy and Mineral of the United Republic of Tanzania
  • Mr. Nestory Phoye,Managing Director,Proactive Solutions (T) Ltd
  • Dr. Camillus D. N. Kassala, Lecturer & Dean of Students,Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre
  • Mr. Peter Baziwe,Information Systems Audit and Security professional, ISACA Tanzania Chapter
ALL SPEAKERS…

Entry with Audio

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Statoil has made a new gas discovery in Tanzania.

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The Norwegian company said the Mdalasini-1 exploration well had resulted in the new find.
The discovery of an additional 1.0-1.8trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas in the well brings the total of on-place volumes up to approximately 22 tcf in Block 2.
Nick Maden, senior vice president for Statoil’s exploration activities in the Western Hemisphere, said: “The Mdalasini-1 discovery marks the completion of the first phase of an efficient and successful multi-well exploration programme offshore Tanzania.”
“Since the start of the programme in February 2012, we have drilled 13 wells and made eight discoveries, including Mdalasini-1. We still see prospectivity in the area, but after appraising the Tangawizi-1 high-impact discovery, which was made in March 2013, there will be a pause in the drilling to evaluate the next steps and to mature new prospects.”
Statoil has drilled the Mdalasini-1 well with 100% working interest.
The Mdalasini-1 discovery is located at a 2,296-metre water depth at the southernmost edge of the block. The new gas discovery has been made in Tertiary and Cretaceous sandstones.
Previously Statoil and ExxonMobil made seven discoveries in Block 2, including the five high-impact gas discoveries Zafarani-1, Lavani-1,Tangawizi-1, Mronge-1 and Piri-1, as well as the discoveries in Lavani-2 and Gilligiliani-1.
Statoil operated the licence on Block 2 on behalf of Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and has a 65% working interest.
ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited holds the remaining 35%. TPDC has the right to a 10% working interest in case of a development phase. Statoil has been in Tanzania since 2007, when it was awarded the operatorship for Block 2. ~ energyvoice.com

A small gallery

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FACTS FOR NATURAL GAS

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  •  
    Source: ChevronTexaco Corporation
  • Natural gas comes from two sources:

  1. From source rocks rich in organic material from plants.
  2. From normal oils converted to gas due to excessive heat from deep burial.

  • Natural gases fall into two categories:

  1. Combustible
    (methane, ethane, propane, butane, & hydrogen). Methane is the most
    abundant, comprising almost 80% of combustible gases. There are two
    types of combustible gas: dry gas (usually from rock sources and
    exposure to thermal and bacterial conditions) and wet gas (contains
    higher hydrocarbons and is generally associated with oil accumulations).
    75% of gas resources are combustible.
  2. Non-combustible (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, & hydrogen sulfide).

  • Gas source rocks are more widespread and abundant than oil source rocks.

  • Gas is being depleted at a much slower rate than oil due to the high cost of transporting gas (especially from remote areas).

  • As
    much as 80% or more of gas is recoverable from a well/source versus
    about 50% of oil since oil tends to adhere to the sand grains in the
    formation.

  • Gas
    is commonly re-injected into oil wells to maintain pressure and enhance
    oil production. Once oil production falls to a low level, many then
    convert the oil field into a gas field.

Natural Gas Basics

Natural
gas and crude oil are called hydrocarbons because both are composed of
carbon and hydrogen atoms. Natural gas molecules are generally shorter;
four carbon atoms or less. Crude oil molecules contain five or more
carbon atoms per molecule.

Natural
gas is both a clean burning fuel source and the primary feedstock into
the U.S. petrochemical industry. Raw natural gas in fields is processed
to separate the methane out from butane, propane, and large amounts of
ethane. The three heavier liquids are prone to condensation in natural
gas pipelines.

Natural Gas Liquids and Petrochemicals

Methane
– One carbon atom; chemical formula CH4. The principal use of methane
is as a fuel. The natural gas that is delivered to your home is almost
pure methane. Methane is also an upstream component of many important
industrial chemicals:
  • Methanol
    – A primary raw material in automotive windshield wash and also used as
    a racing fuel. Chemical derivatives of methanol also play an important
    role in our everyday lives:

Ethane
– Two carbon atoms; chemical formula C2H6. Ethane is the second-largest
component of natural gas, typically comprising up to 6% of the volume
of gas produced from a natural gas field.

  • Ethylene
    – The vast majority of ethane is consumed in the production of ethylene
    by steam cracking. Consumer products made from ethylene derivatives
    represent a large part of the petrochemical industry here in the U.S.:

Propane
– Three carbon atoms; chemical formula C3H8. Truck fleets, forklifts,
barbecue grills, portable stoves and even the new Roush Ford F-150
pick-up use propane fuel. Propane’s octane rating is noticeably higher
than gasoline at 110.

Many homes not
connected to municipal (methane) gas pipelines use propane for their
appliances and furnaces. Other fuel uses for propane:

  • Refrigerators.
  • Flamethrowers.
  • Hot air balloons.
  • Fuel for explosions and other special effects in theme parks and movies.

Butane – Four carbon atoms; chemical formula C4H10. Primary fuel uses for butane are:

  • Bottled fuel for cooking and camping.
  • Fuel for cigarette lighters.
  • A propellant in aerosol sprays.
  • As refrigerants.

Natural Gas Quality

Gas quality standards
vary depending on the pipeline system and are usually a function of
each pipeline system’s design and the markets that it serves. In
general, the standards specify that the natural gas be within a specific
range of heating value. In the U.S., gas must generally be should be
1.035 MMBtu per cubic foot of gas at 1 atmosphere and 60 °F.

Sour Gas –
Natural gas that contains detectable amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
is called sour gas. It’s a poisonous gas that is also very corrosive.
Hydrogen sulfide must be removed from raw gas by rather expensive
equipment at the well site to prevent corrosion damage to well site
pipes and equipment as well as to meet utility pipeline gas specs. As
H2S is particularly dangerous to humans, a typical pipeline limit for
hydrogen sulfide would be in the range of 4 parts per million per 100
standard cubic feet.

Sweet Gas – Natural gas that does not contain hydrogen sulfide is considered sweet gas.

Wet Gas – Wet
gas is natural gas that contains naturally liquid hydrocarbons (called
“condensate”) with the chemical composition of gasoline. Refineries pay a
slightly lower price for condensate than they do for crude oil because
the octane of condensate is very low.