Oil, gas traces in Kilombero Valley, says prospecting firm

BY WARYOBA YANKAMI

13th November 2013

  Experts processing, interpreting data

Swala Oil and Gas (Tanzania) Limited

Phase three of oil and gas exploration in Kilombero Valley has shown significant results of hydrocarbon presence in the area.

According to Swala Oil and Gas (Tanzania) Limited, the sediments and other characteristics found at the Kilosa-Kilombero licence areas are similar to those observed in the now proven oil basins of Kenya and Uganda.

“The Programme over the Kilombero Valley has been completed and the preliminary geological interpretation of the results is positive…initial results also suggest the presence of a thick, neogene-age with a maximum depth to basement in excess of 3,000m…the sediments discovered appeared to be similar to those observed in the now proven oil basins of Lokichar (Kenya) and Lake Albert (Uganda) where Africa Oil and Tullow Oil have had significant success,” Abdallah Mwinyi, the firms Director told a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
According to Mwinyi, there are all indications that the area might have oil and gas.

For his part, Dr David Ridge the firm’s Chief Executive Officer said the seismic work touched less that 20 kilometres of the potentially hydrocarbon-bearing valley.

He said more work needed to be done in processing and interpreting the data.
“The combination of sediment age, structure and trapping geometries that are similar to those seen in the working basins in Uganda and Kenya, along with a number of possible fat spots, all go to make the Kilombero valley an exciting prospect and these continued results coming from the seismic programme underscore our strong faith in the region,” said the CEO. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN