Aminex, ARA Petroleum aim first gas in December

Tanzania is working to build a national infrastructure around the commercial Ntorya gas discovery to boost domestic supply of natural gas

Industrial players in the region, ARA Petroleum Tanzania and Aminex are driving this development as joint venture partners. Following extensive seismic surveys and commercial appraisal, the project is ready for execution. With major financial commitments secured and civil infrastructure nearing completion, work programmes have been initiated to unlock the field's resource potential, strengthen local energy security, and transition from appraisal into commercial production.

Capital outlay and work programme approval

Aminex's subsidiary, Ndovu Resources Limited, and ARA Petroleum Tanzania Limited have approved work programmes for the current and following years, projecting gross expenditure of up to US$75mn during the period.

In Ntorya-2 (NT-2), the joint venture has plans for removal of bridge plugs followed by well testing in November 2026 before production can begin in December 2026. Flowlines will be constructed to activate the Ntorya-Madimba pipeline before production commences. TPDC has confirmed that approximately 95% of pipelaying and infilling work is done. The contract for the supply of the gas processing unit (GPU) is expected to be signed later this month.

Ntorya-1 will undergo wellhead maintenance and slickline operations in October 2026 to determine the next steps, including the prospects of a rig-operated workover. A workover after the drilling of the Ntorya-Central well may affect gas production schedules. 

Negotiations are now at a very advanced stage to contract a drilling rig to drill a well at the NT-C location. The contract is expected to be signed in October 2026 with the well scheduled to be spudded in December 2026 as Ntorya-3 (NT-3). If successful, NT-3 will be tied into the Ntorya development with first gas from the well available in September 2027. 

Potential well appraisals

The results of the NT-3 well will determine if the joint venture wants to use the option available to drill up to two additional appraisal/development wells - NT-E and NT-W - on a back-to-back basis, following the completion of operations on NT-3 and, if required, NT-1. 

An obligatory well called Chikumbi-1 (CH-1) is set to be drilled under the terms of the Development Licence and the Farmout Agreement.

Charles Santos, executive chairman of Aminex, said, "We are pleased to have reached agreement with APT on the revised 2026 work programme and budget and the provisional 2027 programme, which together envisage an expenditure of up to US$75 million across the remainder of 2026 and 2027.

"The coming months will see a significant increase in operational activity at Ntorya, with work commencing at NT-1, testing and first production from NT-2, completion of the pipeline and the planned drilling of NT-3. Importantly, the provisional 2027 programme provides a clear pathway for further early drilling at the NT-E and NT-W locations as we move beyond first production and into the broader development of the Ntorya field.

"We remain focused on maintaining the current momentum and delivering first gas in December."