Tanzania: Mnazi Bay Mobilises Rig for Three-Well Drilling Campaign to Boost Gas Production

Operators at Tanzania’s Mnazi Bay gas field have mobilised a drilling rig to site, marking the start of a three-well drilling campaign aimed at materially increasing gas production and strengthening supply reliability for the domestic market.

The drilling programme, which had initially been scheduled to spud in December, is now expected to commence in the first half of February, following the successful mobilisation of the rig and completion of preparatory works on location. The campaign represents a key upstream investment designed to unlock additional gas volumes from the Mnazi Bay permit.

According to project details, the new wells are expected to sustainably lift the gross production potential of the field beyond its current level of approximately 100 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd). This increase will take advantage of existing surface infrastructure, which has a nameplate capacity exceeding 130 mmcfd, allowing incremental volumes to be brought onstream without major new facilities.

While Maurel & Prom’s working interest gas production (60%) from Mnazi Bay averaged 59.7 mmcfd in 2025, a marginal 3 percent decline compared to 2024, the upcoming drilling campaign is expected to reverse this trend by adding new production points and enhancing reservoir deliverability.

The three-well programme is strategically important for Tanzania’s gas sector, as Mnazi Bay plays a critical role in supplying natural gas for power generation and industrial consumption, particularly in the southern regions of the country. Additional wells are expected to improve production resilience, reduce pressure drawdown on existing wells, and support rising domestic gas demand.

Industry observers note that the drilling campaign signals continued operator confidence in the Mnazi Bay reservoir and underscores the importance of incremental brownfield developments in maximising value from existing gas assets.

Successful execution of the February spud and subsequent well completions could see Mnazi Bay production move closer to facility capacity in the medium term, reinforcing Tanzania’s position as a key natural gas producer in East Africa.