The 380km square area is now vacant after the expiry of the licences held by two long-operating investors British Petroleum (BP) and Maurel ET Prome.

 

According to information issued by Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals Dr Medard Kalemani in the National Assembly here yesterday the latest exploration by the two firms revealed that the area had potentials for oil and gas development.

 

"For now the block is free as the biding licence has expired," the minister said when responding to Mafia MP Mbaraka Dau (CCM).

 

The deputy minister said BP and Maurel ET Prome had been conducting 3D seismic survey at the 380 square kilometre area and an additional 205 square kilometre 2D that lead to the drilling of two wells.

 

Between 1952 and 1956, the deputy minister said BP drilled one well Mafia-1 and Maurel ET Prome drug another well Deep-1 between 2006 and 2010. "After evaluation it was revealed that the area has potentials for oil and natural gas development," he reacted.

 

The Mafia lawmaker had questioned earlier about a prDeputy Minister for Energy and Minerals Dr Medard Kalemaniolonged exploration activities in Mafia yet the firms had not issued any results. He however alleged that there were finds of natural gas in Mkuranga in Coast Region that can be used to generate electricity.

 

In response Mr Medard said the government had already connected natural gas fields to generate electricity. "The electricity that we are now using comes from various sources including natural gas," he said.

Source : allafrica.com