Aminex advances Tanzania’s Ntorya gas project as pipeline nears 2026 startup

(WO) — Aminex said development work at its Ntorya gas project in Tanzania is progressing, with pipeline construction and upstream activities aligned for first gas in 2026.

The company said pipe for the pipeline linking the Ntorya gas field to the Madimba gas processing plant has been manufactured and is scheduled to arrive in Tanzania in late January 2026. Groundwork and pipelaying are expected to begin shortly thereafter, with completion and commissioning targeted for the third quarter of 2026.

Operator ARA Petroleum Tanzania (APT) reported that preparations to bring the Ntorya-2 well into production are advancing in parallel with the pipeline schedule. Contracting for required services is well progressed, with the principal contract expected to be awarded in January 2026.

APT is also evaluating tenders for a drilling rig and associated services to drill the Chikumbi-1 exploration well and conduct a workover on the Ntorya-1 well. Aminex said all required casings, tubulars and wellheads for those operations are already on site at Ntorya.

In addition, a local construction company has been awarded a civil works contract covering well pad preparation for Chikumbi-1, rehabilitation of the Ntorya-1 and Ntorya-2 well pads, conversion of the Ntorya-3 well site into a gas field base, and preparation of sites for upstream production facilities and access roads. Work under that contract is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

APT’s 2026 work program and budget have been approved by Tanzanian authorities. The total budget exceeds $50 million and includes drilling, workovers, civil works and pipeline-related activities.

Charles Santos, executive chairman of Aminex, said the project remains on track for initial production.

“I’m very pleased to say that the Ntorya gas development is progressing well and on track for first gas next year. Clearly, 2026 will mark the start of an exciting new chapter for Aminex and the beginning of a new era for Tanzania’s energy security and energy transition,” Santos said.

He added that recent meetings with government and energy officials underscored growing momentum in the country’s gas sector.

“Tanzania is on the cusp of a gas revival which will fuel industrial and economic development while helping to improve Tanzanians’ living standards. We’re very excited to be part of that story and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) and of course Ntorya’s operator, APT,” Santos said.