Tanzania commissions new CNG compressor mother station in Mtwara to expand regional gas distribution

Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has brought online a new compressed natural gas (CNG) compressor mother station in Mtwara, designed to boost bulk gas supply for satellite filling stations across southern Tanzania and neighbouring border districts.

The gas filling compressor station is fitted with multi-stage reciprocating compressors, with a rated suction pressure of 0.4 MPa and discharge working pressure of 25 MPa. The skid-mounted compression system delivers a throughput capacity of 120,000 standard cubic metres of natural gas per day, feeding CNG into high-pressure tube trailers for last-mile distribution.

Unlike retail CNG sites in Dar es Salaam, this Mtwara facility functions primarily as a compression and bulk loading hub. It does not cater for direct refuelling of private vehicles; its core mandate is to supply a network of small satellite filling stations being rolled out by TPDC in Mtwara, Lindi and southern Ruvuma regions.

Energy ministry officials told local correspondents that the project forms part of the national strategy to monetise Tanzania’s offshore natural gas reserves and cut diesel consumption for urban and intercity transport fleets. EWURA, the energy and water regulator, has issued the operating licence after completing site inspection, safety validation and explosion-proof compliance checks for the compressor house, manifold skids and gas unloading panel.

“Southern Tanzania has long faced constraints on CNG access because of limited compression infrastructure,” said Eng. Poline Msuya, Director of Natural Gas at EWURA. “This compressor station removes a key bottleneck. It will lower delivered fuel cost for bus operators, logistics fleets and industrial off-takers, while cutting tailpipe emissions.”

TPDC procurement documents show the compression package and associated process equipment were supplied by an international energy equipment manufacturer, with local engineering sub-contractors responsible for civil works, piping integration and on-site commissioning. Operators will run routine monitoring of compressor vibration, sealing performance and methane leak detection systems as mandatory under Tanzania’s upstream and midstream gas safety code.

Industry analysts note that Mtwara’s proximity to the gas fields makes the location strategically attractive. TPDC confirmed that a second phase expansion is under appraisal, which would add one more compressor train and raise daily output to 220,000 scm if market uptake meets projections.

The government’s medium-term target is to lift the national CNG station count to 24 by the close of 2027, balancing mother compression hubs and retail filling points across the country.