Aminex achieves first gas from Tanzanian Kiliwani North field

April 7, 2016
Aminex PLC subsidiary Ndovu Resources Ltd. has started gas production from its Kiliwani North field on Songo Songo Island, 15 km off mainland Tanzania.

Aminex PLC subsidiary Ndovu Resources Ltd. has started gas production from its Kiliwani North field on Songo Songo Island, 15 km off mainland Tanzania (OGJ Online, Apr. 15, 2011; June 7, 2008).

Initial production from the Kiliwani North-1 (KN-1) well on Apr. 4, with output to rise to an anticipated rate of 25-30 MMcfd during the next 90-100 days, Aminex said.

Tied into the regional pipeline system, KN-1 will deliver gas to Tanzania Petroleum Development Corp.’s (TPDC) newly expanded Songo Songo gas processing plant for distribution under a take-or-pay agreement to supply the local power market, according to the company.

With certified reserves of 45 bcf of gas (OGJ Online, Aug. 19, 2015), KN-1 lies just 2 km from the Songo Songo field gas plant that in turn is connected to the mainland and the key Ubungo power plant that generates about 50% of Tanzania’s electricity capacity.

TPDC completed expansion and upgrading projects costing $151.7 million for the 140-MMcfd Songo Songo gas processing plant and $197.9 million for the 210-MMcfd Mnazi Bay gas plant by late 2015, according to a release from Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals.

The plant expansions were designed to accommodate increased demand for gas-fired electrical power in the country.

Alongside operator Ndovu Resources (Aminex) 51.75%, partners in the Kiliwani North development license include RAK Gas LLC 23.75%, Bounty Oil & Gas NL 9.5%, Solo Oil PLC 10%, and TPDC 5% following Aminex’s disposal of 3.825% on Apr. 4 of its previous working interest in license.

Contact Robert Brelsford at [email protected].