The Tanzanian government, through the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), is actively promoting investment opportunities in the country's oil and natural gas sectors.
The Fifth Round of bidding for exploration blocks in the Indian Ocean and onshore is set to launch in March 2025.
This initiative is being highlighted at the India Energy Week conference and exhibition in New Delhi, India, which is attracting over 70,000 participants from more than 50 countries.
At Tanzania's booth, numerous attendees were impressed by the geophysical data showcasing the country’s abundant oil and natural gas resources.
Dr. Doto Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, commended PURA for effectively utilizing both national and international platforms to attract investors.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to developing all energy sources to ensure a stable and sufficient energy supply for the country.
Eng. Charles Sangweni, PURA’s Director-General, revealed that preparations for the Fifth Round are well underway, including the engagement of TGS ASA, a geophysical company tasked with processing and marketing oil and gas data globally.
This partnership will enable the collection of seismic data from unexplored areas in the Indian Ocean, enriching the available data for potential investors.
The Fifth Round of bidding will feature 26 exploration blocks, with 23 located in deep waters of the Indian Ocean and three in Lake Tanganyika.
The bidding process will take place at the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’25) in Dar es Salaam, where investors will have the opportunity to review geological data, purchase and submit bids, engage in contract negotiations, and sign agreements with the government.
Dr. Biteko outlined the significant benefits that Tanzania expects from the promotion of these blocks, including increased tax revenues, royalties, profit-sharing from discovered resources, data sales, license fees, and employment opportunities for Tanzanians.
During the ongoing conference in India, Dr. Biteko also met with officials from India’s Ministry of Electricity and representatives from Shell, one of the investors in the LNG project.
He reiterated the government's desire to see negotiations completed and for the project to move forward.