Tanzania Offers Six Oil Blocks for Exploration

Tanzania has invited energy explorers to bid for six blocks in the east African nation that is fast becoming a new frontier in the hunt for oil and gas. According to a statement by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation seen by Reuters, the six blocks are all inland and stretch from the southeast of the country to the northwest. Bidders have until December 3 to submit their documents. Tanzania has at least 14 companies exploring at sites both on and offshore, and it has so far found three areas with natural gas deposits. Its last licensing round was in 2004. Prospectors are studying east Africa afresh as insecurity in other parts of the continent and increasing energy nationalism elsewhere push them to seek new sources. Gas discoveries in Tanzania, and oil discoveries on the border between Uganda and Congo has peaked interest in the region, which had been largely overlooked. Among the companies exploring in Tanzania are Dutch group Shell International (RDSa.L), France's Maurel and Prom (MAUP.PA), Petrobras of Brazil (PETR4.SA) (PBR.N) and Ras al-Khaimah Gas Commission of United Arab Emirates. [Source: Reuters]