Tanzania’s natural gas find could reach 200 trillion cubic feet in the next 24 months as the country continues to receive positive results from the ongoing deep offshore exploration.

According to Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) director of exploration, production and technical services Dr Emma Msaky the Tachui and Zafarani exploration wells are expected to add up to the current reserves of 46.5 tcf.

“Judging by the past experience we should we should soon expect to have new estimates from the ongoing offshore exploration work,” says Msaky.

The view correlates with an estimated fivefold increase in gas resource by the Ministry of Energy and minerals in Tanzania.

According to the ministry there are 16 licensed international energy companies including Brazil’s Petrobras, British gas Group, Norway’s Statoil, Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp among others with seven deep offshore blocks and one onshore block.

Already gas from Tanzania is expected to be supplied to various export markets including Pakistan, China, Spain and Chile with production expected to begin by 2020 or slightly earlier.

Msaky says the ongoing exploration is thus hoped will lead to achievement of targets for commercial production of the natural gas.

Tanzania however has to beat up various challenges including financial constraints in developing the right infrastructure even as the current explorers boast of experienced investors.

The director also denounced reports in various media that the Tanzanian government has identified a location for the LNG plant though she said the government preferred an onshore to stimulate the local economy of the area the site is to be located.