Deep water drilling starts in Mafia basin

 

According to a statement released to the media yesterday, the partners will invest close to 80 US dollars in the drilling programmes.

The rig supporting the programme, the Noble Globe Trotter was expected to commence operations towards end of last month and will be drilling in waters up to 2300 meters deep.

 

 The two wells will meet the remaining exploration requirements as per the exploration licences issued by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

Shell became the operator of the two blocks in February this year after its combination with BG Group and has been working closely with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and the ministry to deliver the wells safely.

 

The development of blocks 1 and 4 is part of the Tanzania LNG project which is critical part of the national energy policy under the umbrella of the vision 2025. 

 

Shell and the block 1 and 4 partners are working with TPDC and other block 2 partners on future development of LNG.

The project is being developed at a time of great industry change and historic low oil prices. In current investment climate, there is critical need to have strong project fundamentals including government support and cooperation.

Shell and its partners, Pavilion Energy and Ophir Energy are set to start drilling programme covering two wells in Block 1 and 4 located in the Mafia Deep basin.