The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Ministry of Energy has granted the development license over the Ntorya Location in the Ruvuma Block operated by ARA Petroleum Tanzania Limited. The license, granted on 20^th May 2024 to the Licence Holder (Tanzania Development Corporation - TPDC), was issued publicly in a well-attended ceremonial event on 10^th September 2024 in Mtwara Region in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Hon. Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko.

The 25-years license features an area of 756.36 square kilometres in which there are nine blocks and two discovery wells named Ntorya 1 and 2. The Ntorya location has 1.6 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of discovered contingent resource. The 3D seismic data acquired over the block in 2022 that was later processed and interpreted promises a contingent resource estimate of 3.45 Trillion Cubic Feet.

Following the license issuance, the operator and its partners will undertake a well work-over at Ntorya 1 and a well test on Ntorya 2. Both wells shall be turned into producing wells. The parties will also be required to drill an appraisal well named Chikumbi 1. Preliminary works have started, and the first gas is expected next year.

Speaking of production, the plan is to start with the three wells that will produce 40 - 60 million standard cubic feet of gas a day (MMscfd) in the first phase. The second phase will bring on stream four additional wells (making a total of seven) and a production of 140 MMscfd.

Commencement of production from this location is crucial to meet the surging natural gas demand in the country. Currently, natural gas production comes from two fields, namely, Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay. The annual daily production from Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay gas fields in 2023/24 averaged 114.05 MMscfd and 112.97 MMscfd, respectively.