Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania Mizengo Pinda has disclosed that the existence of vast reserves of methane gas in Lake Kivu in Rwanda have boosted the profile of East Africa as a promising and attractive destination for the petroleum prospecting.
He added that all the blocks in Burundi had been licensed and collection of seismic data had commenced.
In Rwanda surveys indicate the existence of a sedimentary basin in western part of the country and around Lake Kivu.
Speaking at the official opening of the 6th East African Petroleum Conference & Exhibition (EAPCE) taking place from 6 to 8 February 2013 at AICC, Arusha, Tanzania Minister Pinda said EAC Region had witnessed steady growth in petroleum exploration activities since 2003 when the Petroleum Conference & Exhibition was initiated for the first time.
He disclosed that in 2003, EAC had a total of 58 wells drilled compared to today with 158 and still counting.
He reiterated that the number of Companies interested in carrying out petroleum prospecting has grown tremendously since 2003 and the region continues to license more.
Mizengo Pinda said the East African Community cannot achieve meaningful integration without sufficient and reliable energy accessible to its entire citizen at an affordable price.
In this regard, the EAC Partner States, have agreed to cooperate in joint exploration and development of the energy resources found within the Community.
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