Ntorya Development Timeline: From Planning to Execution

The Strategic Importance of Ntorya

The Ntorya field forms part of the wider Ruvuma Basin gas development area in southern Tanzania and is increasingly viewed as strategically important to:

• domestic power generation

• industrial expansion

• regional energy integration

• future gas supply security

According to TPDC, the initial development phase is expected to include:

• Ntorya-1 (NT-1)

• Ntorya-2 (NT-2)

• Chikumbi-1 (CH-1)

with later phases involving additional wells and expanded production capacity.

2022 – Preliminary Studies and Route Selection

According to TPDC, preliminary studies and route surveys for the Ntorya–Madimba pipeline project were undertaken in 2022.

TPDC stated that:

“terrain and settlement patterns”

were assessed to determine a route capable of:

• safe operation

• minimal disruption

• environmental compatibility

The process also included land acquisition and compensation arrangements along the selected corridor.

July 2024 – Detailed Engineering Completed

On 20 July 2024, TPDC confirmed completion of:

• detailed engineering design (DED)

• technical specifications

• cost estimates

for the 34.2 km Ntorya–Madimba pipeline and associated infrastructure.

TPDC stated that the engineering work:

“laid the groundwork for the procurement process”

for EPC contractor selection.

August 2024 – ESIA Approval Granted

A major regulatory milestone was achieved on 18 August 2024 when the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) granted the project its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate.

TPDC stated the approval:

“provided the project with the official clearance to move forward toward construction”

under environmental and social compliance frameworks.

October 2024 to February 2025 – EPC Tender Process

TPDC confirmed that invitations to tender for the EPC contract were issued in October 2024 to shortlisted contractors.

The process included:

• bid submissions

• technical evaluation

• financial evaluation

• TPDC Board approval

before the final contractor selection process was completed in early 2025.

January 2025 – Updated Field Development Plan Submitted

According to Aminex and ARA Petroleum updates, an updated Field Development Plan (FDP) incorporating the results of the large 3D seismic campaign was submitted to TPDC in January 2025.

The revised phased development plan envisages:

• Initial Phase:
  NT-1, NT-2, and CH-1 production up to 60 MMscf/d

• First Phase:
  expansion toward 140 MMscf/d

• Second Phase:
  production scaling toward 280 MMscf/d

subject to export routes and market demand.

March 2025 – Operational Preparation Expands

Operational updates released by Aminex confirmed continued preparation activities including:

• procurement and installation planning for processing facilities

• flow lines

• hook-up systems

• manifolds

• fiscal metering systems

Aminex also confirmed:

• land acquisition for CH-1 well pad and access roads

• extension of operational workcamp areas

• rights of way for NT-1 and NT-2 flowlines

• casing and tubular deliveries

• CH-1 wellhead readiness for shipment

The approved 2025 work programme reportedly exceeded $41 million.

July 2025 – EPC Contract Awarded

On 3 July 2025, TPDC formally signed the EPC contract with:

• China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd.

• China Petroleum Technology & Development Corporation

for construction of the Ntorya–Madimba pipeline.

TPDC stated:

“the pipeline would be delivered within the agreed schedule”

following contract award.

Site handover to the contractor followed shortly afterwards, allowing:

• site access

• investigations

• mobilisation

• detailed execution planning

to begin.

Current Official Position

Official statements from TPDC, Aminex, and ARA Petroleum now collectively indicate:

• pipeline construction activity underway

• processing infrastructure preparation ongoing

• NT-2 being prepared for production

• CH-1 drilling preparation continuing

• phased field development progressing

The 2025 Aminex AGM presentation stated:

“We are now in the construction phase and then moving to revenue.”

The same presentation also stated:

“TPDC confirms Ntorya-Madimba pipeline will be commissioned by the end of July 2026 with gas flowing approximately one month thereafter.”

Government Meetings and Further Drilling Preparation

Recent official discussions between Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy and ARA Petroleum Tanzania have added further evidence of continued operational progression around the Ntorya development.

According to information released through official Tanzanian energy communications, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary responsible for Oil and Gas, Dr James Mataragio, met with ARA Petroleum Tanzania General Manager Erhan Saygi on 5 May 2026 to review:

• ongoing drilling progress

• preparations for additional wells

• reserve definition activity

• acceleration toward production

The official statement specifically referenced:

“preparations to begin drilling new wells”

intended to:

“help further determine the quantity of gas reserves and accelerate production activities.”

The meeting was also attended by:

• Commissioner for Petroleum and Gas, Goodluck Shirima

• technical specialists from the Ministry of Energy

This is notable because it moves beyond broad development discussion and directly references:

• future drilling phases

• additional wells

• production acceleration

Procurement Activity Supporting Development

Alongside the government discussions, procurement activity associated with ARA Petroleum Tanzania appears to support the broader operational picture.

Recent tenders and procurement references have included:

• wellheads

• Christmas trees

• OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods)

• casing

• pipework and completions-related infrastructure

In the upstream oil and gas sector, such equipment is typically associated with:

• drilling operations

• well completion

• production tie-ins

• gathering systems

• flowline infrastructure

While procurement activity alone does not guarantee operational timelines, the combination of:

• official drilling discussions

• equipment procurement

• pipeline construction

• processing facility planning

• and visible site activity

…collectively suggests preparation for continued field development rather than project contraction.

When viewed alongside the wider sequence of officially confirmed milestones, the overall direction of travel increasingly appears consistent with phased progression toward production and infrastructure commissioning.

Simulated Image

Satellite Imagery and Emerging Infrastructure Activity

Alongside official announcements, satellite imagery observed around the Ntorya area appears to show:

• newly cleared land

• fencing activity

• expanding operational footprint

• a prepared area extending toward the roadway adjacent to NT-1 and NT-2

The exact purpose of this area has not been publicly confirmed.

However, given:

• planned processing facilities

• gathering systems

• future flowline infrastructure

• NT-1 and NT-2 tie-ins

• the requirement for future connection toward CH-1

…it is possible that this area may relate to upstream processing, manifold systems, or associated production infrastructure.

This remains speculative.

Nevertheless, when viewed alongside:

• official procurement activity

• processing facility references

• pipeline construction

• flowline rights of way

• government acceleration efforts

…the interpretation appears commercially plausible.