Oman-based ARA Petroleum has officially received a 25-year development licence for the Ntorya Gas discovery in Tanzania at a formal handover ceremony on September 10.
The licence, originally granted in May, was officially handed over in Mtwara by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Doto Mashaka Biteko to ARA Petroleum Tanzania and development partner Aminex.
ARA Petroleum anticipates first gas by 2025, once the pipeline from Ntorya to Madimba is constructed, which is expected to be completed within six months, according to Deputy Prime Minister Biteko.
“We were honoured to receive this licence… Our ambition for this serious endeavour is that it results in boosting economic development, alleviating energy poverty and supporting the country’s energy transition,” said ARA Petroleum Tanzania General Manager Erhan Saygi.
ARA Petroleum has already begun preparatory work at the Ntorya site, including the drilling of the Chikumbi-1 appraisal well, securing land for upstream processing facilities and laying the groundwork for subsurface operations.
Initial gas output is projected at 40-60 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), with plans to increase it to 140 mmscf/d, potentially boosting Tanzania’s gas production by 20-80%. The company is also setting up logistics for subsurface operations and expanding nearby areas for a camp and storage yard.
