BRAZIL’S semi-state operator, Petrobras, has decided to join the hunt for oil and gas resources offshore Tanzania, starting next month .
The target is deepwater blocks five and six, utilising the DryShips ocean rig drillship Ocean Poseidon, that was launched at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea on July 1, and is now commissioning.
The $353million vessel is tagged for a 20-month exploration campaign with Petrobras, which has so far invested $11million in the country and intends to spend another $14million to develop Mtwara, a local gateway port.
The Tanzanian government has estimated proven natural gas reserves in the country at around 7.5trillion cu ft.
To date, all significant discoveries have been by Ophir Energy, which holds operating interests in blocks one, three, four and the East Panda block.
Petrobras is the operator of blocks five and six with 100% interest, and has made an application for block eight.