Shell executive optimistic about Tanzanian LNG talks

Dodoma. Shell executive vice-president Clare Harris has said her company is very optimistic about ongoing negotiations on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project between the government and its partners.

Ms Harris said this at the weekend during her meetings with three ministers - namely: Energy, Minister Medard Kalemani, Industry and Trade Minister Innocent Bashungwa, and the minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Augustine Mahiga - as well as the permanent secretary in the ministry of Energy, Dr Hamis Mwinyimvua.

They dwelt on ongoing negotiations on implementation of the proposed LNG plant.

She said LNG was an important project for Shell and for Tanzania and will support the government’s ambition to achieve the middle-income status goal and complement the country’s economic transformation.

She stated that Shell - along with its Blocks 1 & 4 partners Ophir Energy and Pavilion Energy - have been negotiating the Host Government Agreement (HGA) terms with the government of Tanzania since April this year.

“Completion of the negotiations and subsequent signing of the terms sheet will mark an important milestone towards the construction of the LNG project,” she said.

The project is expected to be the largest single investment in Tanzania’s history. valued as it is at an estimated $30 billion.

“The LNG project in Tanzania is an important part of Shell’s gas development assets and would be helpful in meeting the global demand for natural gas, the official explained,” she noted.

She said an Integrated Gas and New Energies business is at the heart of delivering Shell’s purpose “to power progress together by providing more and cleaner energy solutions to the world”.

Ms Harris also leads the Integrated Gas Ventures division, the branch that oversees the development of LNG Projects around the world.

“Shell’s Integrated Gas and Ventures business manages all of Shell’s LNG activities around the world.