Tanzania's Mnazi Bay Output Improves
Oslo and AIM-listed Wentworth Resources said August 1 that production and payments from its Tanzania operation have improved.
Payments received during July 2018 for gas sales generated from its Mnazi Bay gas field there totalled $3.7mn net to Wentworth, it said. Payments were received from both Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco), respectively the state-owned producer and utility, for one month's gas sales to TPDC, and for one month's gas sales to Tanesco.
Wentworth also said that production during July 2018 from its Mnazi Bay gas field averaged 90mn ft3/d (gross at 100% equity) – believed to be the field's highest monthly figure. Mnazi Bay licensees are the field's operator, Pertamina-owned Maurel & Prom with 48.06%, Wentworth 31.94% and TPDC 20%. On May 1, Wentworth gave guidance that Mnazi Bay would average 65-75mn ft3/d gross during 2018.
Producers in Tanzania are constrained in their sales by how much gas their customers – typically power plants – can absorb and need, and the pipeline capacity to deliver the gas there. The July production may be also high, because of dry weather can limit hydro-electric generation in the country, requiring a greater call on gas-fired generation.
Mnazi Bay partners are having a better time than other small gas producers onshore Tanzania. AIM-listed Aminex has had technical problems with its Kiliwani North field, while Canada-based Orca's planned partial selldown of its stake in the Songo Songo field, the country's first producing field, has been obstructed by the government.