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deep. Statoil has a 65% working interest and Exxon 35%. The Lavani-2 well tested the deeper Saffron target,

East Africa described as a “promising new discovery” by Statoil.

Together, Statoil says the fnds add up to 10-13 Tcf of recoverable gas resources.

In May this year, Statoil acquired 12%

WI in Block 6 from Petrobras. The block covers 5549 sq km in the Mafa basin, about 170km north of Block 2.

Petrobras retains 38% WI, Shell has 50%.

Ophir has also added Block 7 to its licenses, operated in partnership with

Dominion Petroleum.

Operations offshore on the for BG Group. Deepsea Metro-1

Planning for LNG Exploration continues

BG, with Ophir, are planning for the country’s frst LNG London-listed Afren is currently processing 620sq km of 3D facilities, with fnal investment decision planned for 2016/7. seismic shot over the Tanga block, to the north of Tanzania,

Statoil said its fnds have added “robustness” to a future earlier in 2013, with a view to pin-pointing exploration decision on a potential LNG project. Statoil may recom- targets. mend an LNG site this year and says planning to recom- Earlier this year, Afren said it signed a letter of intent to mend a site in 2Q this year and says there is potential for use a rig to drill the Calliope prospect with partner at least two trains to handle production from existing fnds Petrodel Resources Ltd., a privately held company based on Block 2, including BG’s. on the Isle of Man.

Mnazi Bay gas looks bright

Recent fnds by BG Group, Statoil, Eni, and Ophir Energy 3800sq km in 2008. It also shot Tanzania’s frst 3D survey are changing Tanzania’s fortunes. Now a number of these in the same year. It then acquired more 2D and 3D in 2009, operators, along with ExxonMobil, are working on early moving toward Tanzania’s frst deepwater exploration pro- design studies for the country’s frst LNG processing trains. gram. Partnering with BG Group, Ophir drilled a three-well

The operators expect to reach a campaign in Blocks 1 and 4 during fnal investment decision by 2016 2010.

and begin exports in 2020. However, Prior says, before the frst

London-based independent well could be drilled, investment in

Ophir Energy plc has been involved port and logistics infrastructure was in Tanzanian gas exploration since required, as well as negotiations with it was founded in 2004. Stephanie the government.

Prior, its senior commercial man- “A huge amount of the work for the ager, says driving the renewed team was working to agree [to] a pro- interest off Tanzania has been the duction sharing agreement and [on] award of more than 1.7million sq the terms of a gas commercial project mi of acreage offshore since 2000, with the Tanzanian government,” 25% in deep water, dramatically Prior told SPE London’s annual con- changing the color of the Tanzanian ference in London in May. licensing map. Commercial project terms for natu-

During 2005/6, Ophir acquired ral gas took two years to negotiate, 2D seismic over 4300sq km, with leading up to 2010. “We realized if it a more 2D over an additional was going to work, if there were large amounts of gas offshore, it would

Illustrated map of blocks awarded be destined for LNG markets,” Prior off Tanzania. Photo: Antrim Energy says. “So before investing in drilling,

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