TPDC, Nigeria’s FIRST E&P partner to explore gas, oil at Mnazi Bay

TPDC, Nigeria’s FIRST E&P partner to explore gas, oil at Mnazi Bay

Nigeria’s FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) has entered into a strategic agreement with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) to assess and potentially develop the Mnazi Bay North Block, a gas-rich area in southern Tanzania.The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Dodoma, Tanzania, is a major step forward in Tanzania’s bid to harness its vast hydrocarbon reserves and improve energy access across the region.The event, held at TPDC’s headquarters, brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders.

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared vision to unlock the country’s gas potential in a sustainable and commercially viable manner. FIRST E&P will fully fund the technical assessment phase, a move that underlines the company’s confidence in the block’s prospects and its long-term interest in Tanzania’s upstream sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) lays the groundwork for collaboration in assessing and progressing hydrocarbon exploration and potential development in the Mnazi Bay North Block, located in the southern part of the country. Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Gas at the Ministry of Energy, Mr Goodluck Shirima, described the agreement as a groundbreaking model for upstream collaboration in Tanzania. “Since we began developing our upstream resources, we have never had this kind of model. This is the first MoU of its kind, and it opens the door for TPDC to bring in a capable partner through a new modality,” Mr Shirima said. TPDC Mananginf Director Mussa Makame said the MoU allows both parties to review existing data,conduct new studies, and explore potential gas development and production opportunities. The MoU is valid for 9 months but could conlcude earlier or be extended depending on the findings . The full cost implications will become clearer after the assesment phase,'' he said. Having made notable progress in Nigeria FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) produces around 57,000 barrels of oil per day in partnership with NNPC Limited, the oil firm is now taking its expertise beyond its home base.

Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, the firm’s managing director, said the venture aligns with its strategic ambitions to expand across the continent, leveraging experience built on technical excellence, a high-performance workforce, and an entrepreneurial approach.

He noted that Tanzania’s geographic position gives it a natural advantage as a regional energy hub. With the right blend of investments and policy stability, he added, the country could become a linchpin for gas distribution across Sub-Saharan Africa, helping to improve cross-border energy trade and regional security of supply.