China and Russia eye Tanzanian exploration

Bids from Russia’s Gazprom and China’s China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) have been included in the latest licensing round offshore Tanzania. 

The 4th Deep Offshore and North Lake Tanganyika Licensing Round closed on May 15. Seven deepwater blocks had been offered alongside one block in Lake Tanganyika north. 

Five bids from five companies were received, says the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). Bids from CNOOC and a consortium between Statoil and ExxonMobil cover the same block. 

Bids were received from:

  • China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) - Block 4/3A, covering 2620.30sq km
  • Ras Al Khaimah Gas, UAE - Lake Tanganyika North  
  • Statoil and ExxonMobil - Block 4/3A, covering 2620.30sq km
  • Mubadala (UAE) - Block 4/2A, covering 3630sq km 
  • Gazprom - Block 4/3B, covering 3045sq km 

The deep sea offshore blocks are in 2000-3000m water depth adjacent to existing active blocks. The Lake Tanganyika North Offshore Block is in 1500m water depth along the western arm of the East African Rift System. 

The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation(TPDC) said: “Currently, all bid documents are being evaluated to ascertain if they have complied with the terms and conditions which were set by the [Tanzanian] Government. The announcement of the bid winners will follow immediately after the evaluation. Successful Bidders will be invited to commence the negotiations for the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) with the Government and TPDC.”

Blocks not bid on were: 

  • Block 4/4A, covering 2963.30sq km
  • Block 4/4B, covering 3048.90sq km
  • Block 4/5A, covering 2545.30sq km
  • Block 4/5B, covering 3052.60sq km
Read more: 
Statoil boosts Tanzanian LNG prospects - East Africa remains hot property - Tanzanian investment to continue

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