Tanzania is actively strengthening its energy security and power generation stability by increasing domestic natural gas production and investing in infrastructure, with a 2026 milestone of the successful MB-5 gas well boosting field capacity to over 130 mmcfd, and with nearly 50 trillion cubic feet of offshore reserves.
Tanzania is bridging its generation gap by moving away from hydro-dependence toward a more diversified portfolio, aiming to stabilize power supply through natural gas and major LNG projects.
The Maurel & Prom drilling campaign launched last February on the Mnazi Bay permit in Tanzania has achieved a first major success. The MB-5 well—the first drilled on the license since 2014—has been on production since March 29, 2026, with a capacity of 40 mmcfd.
This new well increases the field’s production potential to over 130 mmcfd, enabling, for the first time, testing of the facilities at their design capacity (130 mmcfd) and beyond. It also strengthens the country’s gas supply security and power generation stability.
This achievement is the result of nearly two years of preparation, overcoming significant technical, operational, and administrative challenges. Operations were completed with zero LTI and within optimized timelines, with drilling completed in 41 days, down from the initially planned 47 days.
A collective success reflecting the commitment, rigor, and professionalism of all teams involved, both in the subsidiary and at headquarters. The campaign now continues with the MS-2 development well, to be followed by the Kasa-1X exploration well.
Tanzania is partnering with Nigeria’s Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to gain technical expertise on gas-sector development, following a Tanzanian delegation from the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), led by Mr. Msafiri Mtepa (Director of Regulatory Economics), that visited Nigeria in March 2026.
The delegation toured major Nigerian gas projects in Lagos and Rivers States, including the Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility and NIPCO CNG stations, to understand practical gas operations and infrastructure development.
