The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, has expressed confidence that Tanzania could soon make a significant oil discovery in the Eyasi Wembere Basin following encouraging results from ongoing exploration activities.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting the project site, Ambassador Sefue said TPDC has invested more than Sh47.4 billion in exploration work in the basin since 2015, with all funding sourced internally by the corporation.
He said the decision to undertake the exploration project was based on the basin’s strong geological characteristics, which closely resemble those of the Lake Albert and Turkana basins within the East African Rift System, where commercial oil discoveries have already been made.
“The seismic data interpretation currently underway is showing positive indications of possible oil resources in this area. This project is being implemented scientifically and strategically with the aim of strengthening the country’s economy,” he said.
Ambassador Sefue noted that the presence of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) route through the area provides an added advantage, as the infrastructure could potentially be used to transport oil if discoveries are confirmed.
He also commended TPDC’s growing technical capacity, saying the corporation now has the expertise to independently manage and supervise oil and gas exploration projects, unlike in previous years when the country depended heavily on foreign specialists.
“This project demonstrates the competence and professionalism that now exists within TPDC,” he said.
The board chairman further praised contractor AGS for efficiently executing the project despite operational challenges, including weather conditions and the shallow nature of Lake Eyasi.
According to him, the Eyasi Wembere project is part of the implementation of Tanzania’s 50-Year Development Vision and aligns with TPDC’s strategic objective of expanding the country’s energy resource base.
He said the project is currently at the geophysical exploration stage, the second of five phases in oil and gas exploration. The first phase of seismic data acquisition, covering 779 kilometres, has reached 78 percent completion and is expected to conclude in June 2026.
Ambassador Sefue explained that oil and gas exploration projects generally take at least six years before production can begin for onshore projects, while offshore and lake-based projects can take up to a decade.
On environmental protection, he said TPDC, in collaboration with TAFIRI and the contractor, has continued to monitor environmental conditions before, during and after project implementation to ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards.
“So far, no negative environmental impacts have been observed within the project area or surrounding communities,” he said, adding that the project has already received environmental clearance certification from the National Environment Management Council (NEMC).
He also highlighted the project’s socio-economic contribution, noting that between 1,500 and 1,800 local residents have been employed since the project began in roles such as machine operators, technicians, mechanics, drivers, cooks, cleaners and casual labourers.
Some workers who initially joined as casual labourers have since acquired technical skills and are now operating machinery in other TPDC oil and gas exploration projects, including the Lindi-Mtwara block, he added.
Ambassador Sefue said TPDC has maintained close cooperation with communities surrounding the project area through public awareness meetings focused on the objectives of the exploration activities, employment opportunities, as well as health, safety and environmental issues.
The corporation has also supported community development initiatives, including the drilling of water wells, construction of livestock watering points and provision of mattresses and water buckets to students at Gidamilanda Primary School.
In addition, TPDC is conducting a Community Needs Assessment across the project area to identify priority social needs and design larger corporate social responsibility programmes that will benefit local communities.
“We are leaving this area satisfied with the performance of our experts and the contractor. The positive indicators emerging from the ongoing studies give us confidence that Tanzania could make history by discovering oil in the Eyasi Wembere block,” he said.
