Aminex to Select New 3D Seismic Contractor For Tanzania’s Nyuni Area

Block Nyuni area operator Aminex has said it plans a new 3D seismic programme to be prepared based on the licence area post relinquishment. According to the operator the company expects to re-tender based on the new programme in order to select a 3D seismic contractor capable of acquiring high quality 3D seismic over the key Pande West lead.

The 3D seismic over Pande West analogous to some of the recent major deep-water discoveries in the vicinity is hoped to identify other potential prospects in the deep water with a view to bringing them to drill-ready status.

Aminex is quick to however state it is unlikely to be in a position to drill an expensive deep water well in the Nyuni Area without introducing a larger company as a farm-in partner.  There is however a possibility of drilling wells on the continental shelf that are more economical.

“As part of continuing work over its near-shore interests under the Kiliwani North Development Licence and the Nyuni Area PSA, Aminex is conducting a review of existing data to identify drillable prospects which could be tied back to the National Gas Gathering System on Songo Songo Island”.

The Company is now seeking clarification from the TPDC on the start date for the current licence extension period a four-year extension period which it says should start in December 2016. The First Extension Period on the block was granted in December 2016 backdated to October 2015.

Under the terms of the Nyuni Area PSA, after the grant of a development plan the TPDC may elect to contribute 20% of costs, excluding exploration costs, in order to obtain a participating interest of 20% in production and revenues.

The 840km2 Nyuni Area PSA is located in the offshore regions surrounding the Kiliwani North Development Licence. The block lies updip from the large Chewa and Pweza deep water discoveries. There are two main clastic plays across this area, the Neocomian sandstone analogous to the Songo Songo and Kiliwani North field, and the deeper water fan plays deposited throughout the Cretaceous and Tertiary. The water depth in the licence ranges from 10-700m.

Aminex operates with a 93.3333% working interest through its wholly owned subsidiary Ndovu Resources Limited.