Aminex PLC plans seismic surveys and further drilling on the Ruvuma block onshore southern Tanzania after gauging a gas-condensate discovery at its Ntorya-1 well.
The well, operated by Aminex’s Ndovu Resources Ltd. subsidiary, flowed at a maximum rate of 20.1 MMscfd of gas, 139 b/d of 48° gravity condensate, and small amounts of formation water on a 1-in. choke from the upper 3.5 m of a gross 25-m perforated sand interval. Data gathered during tests indicate an initial reservoir pressure of 5,424 psi.
The discovery has strong commercial potential, Aminex said. “The commercial potential is further enhanced by the presence of condensate with the gas and by the Tanzanian government’s announcement last week that it has secured financing to build a 36-in. diameter gas pipeline from Mtwara, just 25 km from the Ntorya-1 discovery, to Dar es Salaam.”
Aminex is block operator with 75% interest, and Solo Oil PLC has 25%.
Alan Petzet | Chief Editor Exploration
Alan Petzet is Chief Editor-Exploration of Oil & Gas Journal in Houston. He is editor of the Weekly E&D Newsletter, emailed to OGJ subscribers, and a regular contributor to the OGJ Online subscriber website.
Petzet joined OGJ in 1981 after 13 years in the Tulsa World business-oil department. He was named OGJ Exploration Editor in 1990. A native of Tulsa, he has a BA in journalism from the University of Tulsa.