Tanzanian Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) today announced that the TPDC has awarded ION Geophysical Corporation a contract to acquire 4,058 km of 2D seismic, gravity and magnetic data over offshore blocks 4/1B and 4/1C in the Rovuma Delta region. The award follows an international tender, number PA/031/2014-15/W/06, for a 2D multi-client survey, to be known as 'TPDC Phase I 2015', that is planned to be acquired in Q4 of 2015.

"We are very excited on the commencement of this program, which is part of a broader campaign aimed at adding value to all of TPDC assets, both onshore and offshore," Dr James Mataragio (photo), Managing Director of TPDC, commented.

"This survey and three other surveys carried onshore are 100% funded by TPDC. This marks an important step for TPDC, as a National Oil Company, to begin fully focusing on exploration, development and production. Blocks 4/1B and 4/1C are 100% owned and operated by TPDC, and this new seismic data will be used to assist TPDC with a competitive farmout process, details of which will be announced at a later date." He told Your oil and gas news, in an interview Joe Gagliardi, Senior Vice President of ION's Ventures group; a leading provider of technology-driven solutions to the global oil & gas industry, added that ION is delighted to have been awarded this contract, which represents a further phase of seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation services to be provided by ION in support of the government's hydrocarbon exploration strategy. ION's offerings are designed to help companies reduce risk and optimize assets throughout the E&P lifecycle.