Aminex has provided an operational update on the Ntorya gas development in Tanzania.
Aminex's wholly owned subsidiary, Ndovu Resources, and ARA Petroleum Tanzania ('APT'), operator of the Ruvuma PSA, recently met to consider the revised work programme and budget for 2026 and the provisional work programme and budget for 2027. The joint venture approved both work programmes and budgets, with gross expenditure of up to US$75 million projected across the remainder of 2026 and 2027.
Ntorya-2 ('NT-2')
The removal of bridge plugs and subsequent testing of NT-2 is scheduled to commence in November 2026, followed by production in December 2026 into the Ntorya-Madimba pipeline. The necessary flowlines will be constructed in parallel and will be completed prior to the commencement of production. The contract for the supply of the gas processing unit ("GPU") is expected to be signed later this month.
Ntorya-1 ('NT-1')
Wellhead maintenance and slickline operations on NT-1 are scheduled to commence in October 2026. The results will determine whether further work, including a rig-operated workover, is required. If a workover is required, it will be carried out immediately after the drilling of the Ntorya-Central well, resulting in a delay to gas production from the well to December 2027.
Ntorya-Central ('NT-C')
Negotiations are now at a very advanced stage to contract a drilling rig to drill a well at the Ntorya-Central ("NT-C") location. The contract is expected to be signed in October 2026 with the well scheduled to be spudded in December 2026 as Ntorya-3 ("NT-3"). If successful, NT-3 will be tied into the Ntorya development with first gas from the well available in September 2027.
Ntorya-East ('NT-E') and Ntorya-West ('NT-W')
Dependent upon the results of the NT-3 well, the joint venture will have the option to drill up to two additional appraisal/development wells - NT-E and NT-W - on a back-to-back basis, following the completion of operations on NT-3 and, if required, NT-1.
Chikumbi-1 ('CH-1')
The drilling of CH-1, an obligatory well to be drilled under the terms of the Development Licence and the Farmout Agreement, will be drilled at the end of the above programme.
Ntorya to Madimba Pipeline
The Pipeline is scheduled for completion in December 2026, when it will be ready to transport gas from Ntorya to the Madimba Gas Processing Plant. TPDC has confirmed that approximately 95% of pipelaying and infilling is now complete and the necessary connection and metering works at Madimba are ongoing.
Charles Santos, Executive Chairman of Aminex, commented:
'We are pleased to have reached agreement with APT on the revised 2026 work programme and budget and the provisional 2027 programme, which together envisage an expenditure of up to US$75 million across the remainder of 2026 and 2027.
The coming months will see a significant increase in operational activity at Ntorya, with work commencing at NT-1, testing and first production from NT-2, completion of the pipeline and the planned drilling of NT-3. Importantly, the provisional 2027 programme provides a clear pathway for further early drilling at the NT-E and NT-W locations as we move beyond first production and into the broader development of the Ntorya field.
We remain focused on maintaining the current momentum and delivering first gas in December.'
Source: Aminex
