zambia block 31, page-2

After successfully averaging down in PVD for the last 2 months, I took some profit this morning at 59 cents & put straight back in to SWE.

While we wait for Eyasi (with PVD's departure, we could be nice & invite Tullow in!!) & SOGTL listing - hopefully both by end of March, I am also on the edge of my seat with anticipation of what might come before all this - Zambia!


Five companies to explore oil
February 6, 2014 • 0 Comments

Christopher Yaluma Japan mineral explorationBy ESTHER MSETEKA
GOVERNMENT has issued nine licences to five international companies to explore for oil in Lake Tanganyika in the Northern Province.
Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma said four of the companies have already started exploration in the area.
Out of the five companies, four have already started feasibility studies to pave way for the long-awaited extraction of oil and natural gas.
Mr Yaluma said Government is confident that the four companies exploring for oil will soon give detailed findings.
“Government has issued nine licences to five very experienced companies who are doing exploration right now. I know three or four have already started they have gone in flying through before the next three or four months you will know if we have hit [oil] or not,” he said in an interview last week.
Mr Yaluma, who could not immediately name the companies, however, indicated that the investors conducting assessments have vast experience in oil and natural gas exploration.
“The firms carrying exploration works in Zambia are experienced and have explored in countries like Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania were they have found oil and gas,” he said.
He also could not divulge more information regarding the investments that has been put in the project.
The minister reiterated that Government is taking the project seriously through supporting the companies that have shown interest in exploration of oil and natural gas.
He is hopeful that investments expected to be generated from the sector will go a long way in the growth of the sector and job creation as the area is endowed with massive reserves of oil and natural gases.
Recently, Government identified Lake Tanganyika as one of the potential sites for oil and gas explorations.

http://daily-mail.co.zm/blog/2014/02/06/five-companies-to-explore-oil/

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So, who are the 5 companies that "have explored in countries like Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania were they have found oil and gas"?

Tullow / Africa Oil?
Total?
Afren?
Beach?

Ophir, BG, ENI? - hopefully too busy offshore!

Oh yes, almost forgot, SWE meet the criteria as an explorer in Kenya & Tanzania!

Block 31 is the main prize - likely stiff competition.
I would be more than happy if we had to share any award with the likes of any of the companies above!!

Meanwhile, another block on the Zambian part of Lake Tanganyika which might be included as one of the nine licences is Block 54 (next door to Block 31).

IMO, Canadian company - AOS, could have had this licence revoked - they have already lost Block 42 to Surestream in Dec 2013 awards.

Here is their Zambian block map:

http://www.aboilsands.ca/republic-of-zambia-project/

Anyway, hopefully some Zambia award news soon!