Aminex To Spud Tanzania Well mid-December

UK-based East Africa explorer Aminex said December 5 that its Ntorya-2 appraisal well in southern Tanzania is now expected to be spudded mid-December, following an independent inspection of the drillrig. Initial results from the well are expected early next year, it added.

Ntorya-2 is 1.5km away from the firm’s Ntorya-1 discovery which tested gas at 20mn ft³/d with 139 barrels of associated condensate earlier this year. Aminex also said it has completed all necessary civil works for the subsequent Ntorya-3 wellsite, 5km from Ntorya-1 discovery well. The wells are in the onshore Ruvuma PSA, not far from the border with Mozambique, in which Aminex has a 75% interest as operator; UK-based Solo Oil has 25%.

Map credit: Aminex

Aminex also said that revenues from gas sales at the Kiliwani North field to state TPDC (Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation) are now established, that gas is being sold at US$3/mn Btu at the outlet flange of the wellhead, that Aminex does not incur any additional transmission costs, and that it will use proceeds to pay down debt. Aminex operates the Nyumi PSA, including Kiliwani North, with a 54.575% interest; the field produced first gas in April and reached its target output in July.

Mark Smedley