TANZANIA: Mnazi Bay Produces Highest Gas Quarterly Performance Ever
Wentworth Resources and its joint venture partners achieved record quarterly production of 91.5 MMScf/d from the Mnazi Bay gas field in the fourth quarter of 2021 supported the steadily increasing demand for natural gas in Tanzania, which remained strong throughout the second half of last year.
According to the company positive economic indicators continue to support natural gas demand and comparatively lower hydroelectric generation has further increased Tanzania’s reliance on natural gas for baseload electricity.
This according to Wentworth has enabled it set production guidance for 2022 at 75 – 85 MMScf/d which is significantly higher than initial guidance for 2021 and reflects the Company’s confidence in Tanzania’s demand fundamentals and Mnazi Bay’s ability to fulfil demand at these levels.
2021 Operational Highlights
| • | The health and safety of our employees remains our top priority and robust precautionary measures remain in place to ensure the ongoing safety of our staff |
| • | Daily average gross production in 2021 was 24% higher year-on-year at 81.6 MMscf/d (2020: 65.5 MMscf/d) |
| • | Daily average production was higher than guidance for 2021, which was set at 65 – 75 MMscf/d and later revised upwards in June 2021 to 70 – 80 MMscf/d |
| • | Daily average production from the Mnazi Bay field in Q4 2021 was 20% higher year-on-year at 91.5 MMscf/d (Q4 2020: 76.4 MMscf/d), the strongest quarterly performance in the Company’s history |
2022 Outlook
| • | Production guidance for 2022 has been set at 75 – 85 MMscf/d, raising the guidance band by 5 MMScf/d across the board |
| • | The contracted price for gas produced at Mnazi Bay production has increased from $3.35/MMbtu to $3.44/MMbtu in line with growth in the United States Consumer Prices Index effective from 1 January 2022 |
| • | Operational costs of production remain low at $0.54/Mscf |
| • | The Company continues to explore and evaluate growth opportunities both within the Mnazi Bay licence and the greater geographical region to support increasing in-country demand for natural gas |
Katherine Roe, CEO, commented:
“Wentworth continues to go from strength to strength and we are proud and delighted to have achieved an all-time quarterly production record at Mnazi Bay in the final quarter of last year. This continues to indicate that demand has recovered from the lower levels of 2020 associated with COVID-19 and means Wentworth will continue to have a leading role in providing low-carbon energy as Tanzania rapidly grows and industrialises.
“Our strong balance sheet means that 2022 presents an opportunity to optimise and expand our operations at Mnazi Bay to continue to grow production over time. We are looking forward to working with our partners, TPDC and Maurel et Prom, on this work programme to ensure the long-term sustainability of our operations.
“Financially we are in the strongest position in our corporate history enabling our commitment to sustaining our progressive dividend policy as well as instituting a share buy-back programme at the end of 2021. We remain debt-free with significant cash on hand and continue to evaluate growth opportunities to underpin our capital returns policy for the long-term.
“As Wentworth’s contributions to Tanzania grow, we remain focused on ensuring that we are a responsible, transparent, and sustainable business. Part of that approach includes taking accountability for the emissions impacts of our business. We come from a strong starting position with one of the lowest carbon intensity figures in the UK-listed E&P sector. However, we know that isn’t enough. In partnership with Vitol, work is already underway on our community-focused carbon credit programme and we look forward to providing updates on our progress over the coming months as we identify opportunities to deliver tangible impacts to our communities across Tanzania.”
Maurel et Prom is the operator with 60 percent exploration and 31.94 percent exploration while Wentworth is a joint venture partner with 32 percent production and 40 percent exploration. TPDC has 20 percent interest in development and production.