Statoil and co-venturer Exxon Mobil have announced that the Giligiliani-1 exploration well hasresulted in a new natural gas discovery offshore Tanzania.

The discovery of an additional 1.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf*) of natural gas in place in the Giligiliani-1 well brings the total of in-place volumes up to approximately 21 tcf in block 2.

The Giligiliani-1 discovery is located along the western side of block 2 at a 2,500-metre water depth. The new gas discovery was made in Upper Cretaceous sandstones.

"This discovery has proven the gas play extends into the western part of block 2, which opens additional prospects. Our success rate in Tanzania has been high and opening up a new area will be key to continuing our successful multi-well programme," said Nick Maden, senior vice president for Statoil's exploration activities in the Western Hemisphere.

The rig Discoverer Americas will now drill the Kungamanga prospect located in the central part of block 2.

The Giligiliani-1 discovery is the venture's seventh discovery in block 2. It is preceded by the five high-impact gas discoveries Zafarani-1, Lavani-1, Tangawizi-1, Mronge-1 and Piri-1, and a discovery in Lavani-2.

Statoil operates the licence on block 2 on behalf of Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and has a 65% working interest. ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited holds the remaining 35%. Statoil has been in Tanzania since 2007, when it was awarded the operatorship for block 2.
(*1 Tcf =180 million barrels of oil equivalent)