TANZANIA'S natural gas prospects in the Ruvuma basin have strengthened after new seismic data analysis indicated significantly larger gas volumes than previously estimated, raising hopes for additional discoveries in the country’s southern region.

Fresh interpretation of 3D seismic data from the Ruvuma Oil and Gas Exploration Block in Mtwara suggests potential resources of 3.45 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas — almost double the 1.87 tcf earlier reported. The findings have renewed interest in the geological potential of the basin and could influence future investment and energy planning.

Energy sector authorities and experts say the revised estimates highlight the need for sustained exploration work as Tanzania continues positioning itself as a growing natural gas producer in East Africa.
The updated figures were presented at a technical workshop in Dar es Salaam this week, where energy regulators and state petroleum officials were briefed on the seismic review and its implications for ongoing exploration activities in the Ntorya area of Mtwara.

According to the operator of the block,  the larger volumes emerged after extensive processing of 338 square kilometres of 3D seismic data acquired in 2022, combined with earlier 2D data and well results from previous drilling campaigns.
General Manager Erhan Saygi said the data integration had improved geological understanding of the block and increased confidence that more gas could be confirmed.

“The processed and interpreted seismic data, alongside existing datasets, give us confidence in the potential for further natural gas discoveries within the Ruvuma Block,” he said. The workshop was attended by officials from the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, who were updated on next steps to verify the indicated gas volumes.

Following the revised estimates, the block operator  and its joint venture partners— are planning additional field operations in 2026, including workover of Ntorya-1, flow testing of Ntorya-2 and drilling of the Chikumbi-1 appraisal well.
Both Ntorya wells are designated for production testing as the consortium moves toward confirming commercial viability and recoverable volumes.

The Ruvuma basin is considered one of the country’s important onshore gas prospects, complementing offshore reserves discovered in the past decade. Officials say further verification could contribute to long-term energy supply plans and industrial gas usage in southern Tanzania.