Mozambique Oil & Gas: Government approves Wentworth’s Tembo-1 gas well development

East Africa-focused oil and gas explorer Wentworth Resources has received governmental approval for its Tembo-1 gas discovery appraisal plan in Mozambique, becoming operator and increasing its interest from 11.59 percent to 85 percent. 

Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos will hold the remaining 15 percent participation interest in the Rovuma Onshore Concession, with the right to acquire further 15 percent from Wentworth Resources within 18 months from the date of submission for a development plan.

Wentworth Resources said the implementation of a work program will commence in 2016, and in the second half of 2017, the company plans to acquire 500 km of new onshore 2D seismic data.

The drilling of an appraisal well is planned for 2018 once the data is evaluated and a suitable location is found.

The Tembo-1 discovery was made in December 2014, and the currently agreed appraisal area, located around the discovery onshore measures approximately 2,500 square kilometers.

Bob McBean, Executive Chairman of Wentworth Resources said, “With all the data gained to date through our exploration drilling and seismic interpretation, we believe this area of onshore Mozambique to be highly prospective.”

The production volumes from the Mnazi Bay gas field have been ramping up, reaching a peak of 74 mmscf per day during the second quarter.

McBean added that the production was lower than expected in the second quarter, it was considered short term in nature and the company’s capacity to up the production remains in place, as further power generation capacity is being installed in Mozambique.

Wentworth further noted it plans to monetize its on-shore gas through the emergence of LNG projects in Mozambique.(source: LNG World News Staff)