Tanzania discovers 223 billion cubic feet of natural gas in first major find in a decade
Tanzania has announced the discovery of a substantial natural gas deposit in the Mnazi Bay area in the south of the country, marking its first major find of the resource in a decade.
Energy Minister Juma Homera attended a ceremony at the Kasa-1X ST2 well to commemorate the discovery. The well is jointly owned by the state-run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and French oil company Maurel & Prom.
Homera described the discovery, estimated at 223 billion cubic feet (6.3 billion cubic metres), as a significant milestone for Tanzania’s relatively small oil and gas industry.
Production from the new well is expected to begin early next month, with the project aimed at increasing domestic natural gas supplies.
Tanzania currently holds estimated natural gas reserves of 57.54 trillion cubic feet.
The newly discovered gas is expected to support electricity generation for households and industries, as well as provide fuel for vehicles.
Homera said the find would help ensure a reliable supply of affordable, clean and safe energy as demand rises due to industrial expansion and other economic activities.
Government statistics indicate that natural gas accounted for nearly 80% of Tanzania’s electricity generation sources in 2024.
In recent years, the country has also promoted the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel for vehicles. Gas processing facilities and filling stations have been established, particularly in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city.
Some vehicle owners have converted their cars to dual-fuel systems, allowing them to use locally available natural gas, which is generally cheaper than petrol.
Tanzania’s first natural gas discovery was made in 1974 on Songo Songo Island in the south-eastern Lindi Region. A second discovery followed in 1982 at Mnazi Bay in the neighbouring Mtwara Region.
Commercial production from these discoveries began in 2004, paving the way for further exploration both onshore and offshore. The country’s largest single discovery was recorded in 2016, when an estimated 2.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was found.
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