Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority

What Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority does

Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) is a statutory government body established in 2015 under the Petroleum Act of 2015 and operating under Tanzania's Ministry of Energy. Headquartered in Dodoma at the PSSSF Kambarage Tower, PURA holds exclusive regulatory jurisdiction over upstream petroleum activities — exploration, development, and production — including oversight of the planned USD 30 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project at Likong'o in Lindi Region. It currently regulates 11 active Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), of which 3 are in production and 8 are in various stages of exploration, with cumulative discoveries of 57.54 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas from 96 wells drilled (44 successful).

PURA's core technology stack comprises a petroleum registry with digital reference mapping, a Common Qualification System (CQS) database jointly developed with EWURA to qualify Tanzanian service providers, regional geology and stratigraphy databases covering coastal and interior basins, and virtual reality visualization tools for simulating LNG project structures. The authority enforces local content requirements (achieving 85%+ participation), conducts cost audits of PSAs (saving the government over TZS 90 billion), and manages licensing rounds to attract international investment. It operates with 51-100 employees under Director General Eng. Charles Sangweni and Board Chairman Halfani R. Halfani.

PURA's revenue model is based on regulatory oversight and licensing fees collected from upstream petroleum companies operating under PSAs, supplemented by government budget allocations. Its primary customers are International Oil Companies (Shell, Equinor, Maurel & Prom, ARA Petroleum, PanAfrican Energy, Exalo Drilling), National Oil Companies (TPDC and its GASCO subsidiary), local content stakeholders, and other government regulatory bodies. The authority markets Tanzania's upstream opportunities through international energy conferences (EAPCE, Africa Energy Week, Africa Energies Summit), its official website portal (pura.go.tz), newsletters, and direct diplomatic engagement with foreign embassies and energy ministries.

Name

Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority

Legal name

Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority

Website

https://pura.go.tz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) is the statutory government regulator, established in 2015 under the Petroleum Act, that oversees upstream oil and gas exploration, development, production, and the USD 30 billion LNG project in Tanzania for international and national oil companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Petroleum Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (92613), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150)

SIC

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (1311), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

FERC/PHMSA/State Commission Rule Compliance (Cross-Regulatory) (EUAJAIAH)

Keywords

• Petroleum regulation
• Upstream licensing
• Gas exploration oversight
• Production sharing agreements
• Petroleum registry

Headquarters

HQ city

Dodoma

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Regulatory Oversight and Licensing Fees: As a statutory regulatory authority under Tanzania's Ministry of Energy, PURA generates revenue through the issuance of petroleum exploration and production licenses, collection of regulatory fees, and oversight of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs). Revenue is collected from upstream petroleum companies operating in Tanzania.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PURA regulates Tanzania's upstream petroleum sector under the Petroleum Act of 2015. It administers licensing rounds for exploration and production blocks, oversees Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), conducts cost audits, enforces local content requirements, supervises the USD 30 billion LNG project, and maintains the national petroleum registry including seismic, well, geology, and gas discovery data.

Product overview

Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) is a regulatory authority for Tanzania's petroleum upstream sector. It does not offer commercial software products or services. PURA's functions include overseeing petroleum exploration, development, and production activities; regulating LNG projects; maintaining a petroleum registry; managing licensing rounds for exploration blocks; and providing regulatory oversight of upstream petroleum operations. The organization publishes geological data, gas discoveries, exploration wells, seismic surveys, and regulatory documents. PURA facilitates investment in Tanzania's petroleum sector through licensing rounds and stakeholder engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Upstream Petroleum Licensing Rounds Competitive licensing rounds and auctions for petroleum exploration, development, and production blocks in Tanzania, with associated data rooms, reference maps, and bid processes for international oil companies.
• Petroleum Registry and Reference Maps National registry providing access to seismic surveys, exploration wells, geology, gas discoveries, contract areas, and reference maps for Tanzania's upstream petroleum blocks.
• PSA Administration and Cost Audit Services Administration and oversight of Production Sharing Agreements with petroleum operators, including cost audit reviews that have generated over TZS 90 billion in savings for Tanzania.
• Local Content Compliance Enforcement Regulatory oversight of local content requirements in upstream petroleum operations, achieving 85%+ Tanzanian participation through qualification and compliance monitoring.
• LNG Project Supervision Government-side regulatory oversight of Tanzania's USD 30 billion Liquefied Natural Gas project at Likong'o, Lindi Region, led by Equinor, Shell, and TPDC.
• Common Qualification System (CQS) Joint database with EWURA to register and qualify Tanzanian service providers and local content entities for petroleum sector participation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over TZS 90 billion saved through PSA cost audit reviews
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• South African Petroleum Stakeholders (via Tanzania Embassy in South Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026PURA engaged with Tanzania's Ambassador to South Africa to establish collaboration with South African petroleum regulators, operators, and research institutions for experience sharing and capacity building.
• Indonesian National Oil Company (Pertamina)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PURA held discussions with Pertamina to explore investment opportunities in Tanzania's upstream petroleum sector, including participation in upcoming licensing rounds and petroleum blocks.
• Kenya Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PURA and EPRA conduct peer-to-peer regulatory meetings to share experiences on oil and gas regulatory functions, local content management, and petroleum sector oversight in East Africa.
• OCTANT EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025PURA is overseeing OCTANT Energy's preliminary preparations for exploration well drilling in Tanga region, providing regulatory guidance and monitoring for upcoming drilling operations.
• SONATRACH (Algeria)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PURA engaged with Algeria's SONATRACH to discuss investment opportunities and capacity building for petroleum professionals, expanding Tanzania's upstream petroleum network.
• ALNAFT (Algeria - National Agency for the Development of Hydrocarbon Resources)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PURA and ALNAFT cooperation aims to strengthen operational performance and share regulatory best practices in upstream petroleum management.
• South Sudan Petroleum AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PURA discussed areas of cooperation with the South Sudan Petroleum Authority to share experiences on petroleum regulation, exploration oversight, and project management.
• Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2022PURA and ZPRA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2022 to strengthen cooperation in upstream petroleum regulation, joint technical committee establishment, PSA cost auditing, petroleum data management, licensing strategy development, and CSR guidelines preparation.
• Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2022PURA and PAU signed a Cooperation Pact in June 2025 to share regulatory experience, best practices in petroleum project oversight, local content management, and capacity building between the two East African petroleum regulators.
• Baker Botts LLP (UK)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 25 January 2022Baker Botts LLP was contracted by TPDC as lead legal advisor for LNG project negotiations between the Government of Tanzania and international investors (Shell, Equinor), supporting PURA and the Government Negotiation Team.
• Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022PURA and EWURA jointly developed the Common Qualification System (CQS) database to register and qualify Tanzanian service providers and businesses for petroleum sector participation, ensuring coordinated local content enforcement.
• Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015TPDC is Tanzania's national oil company and the state partner in all major upstream petroleum projects, including the USD 30 billion LNG project and various PSA arrangements. PURA and TPDC work closely on exploration oversight, gas production monitoring, and strategic project development.
• Shell TanzaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Shell is a key partner in Tanzania's upstream petroleum sector, holding stakes in Blocks 1, 2, and 4, and serving as a lead partner alongside Equinor and TPDC in the LNG project at Likong'o, Lindi.
• Equinor TanzaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Equinor is the lead operator for Tanzania's LNG project, holding operatorship of Blocks 1, 2, and 4 alongside Shell and TPDC. PURA oversees Equinor's exploration and development activities.
• Maurel & Prom Exploration Production Tanzania LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015M&P operates the Mnazi Bay gas field (60% stake, with TPDC holding 40%), producing approximately 74-90+ MMscf/day. PURA regulates M&P's operations, cost audits, local content compliance, and new well drilling projects.
• Energy Regulators Association of East Africa (EREA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015PURA is a member of EREA, the Energy Regulators Association of East Africa, which facilitates peer-to-peer learning and regulatory harmonization among energy regulators in the EAC region. PURA hosted the 30th EREA EXCO meeting.
• Ndovu Resources LimitedminorOthers · 1 January 2015Ndovu Resources Limited is listed as a PURA partner/sponsor, representing a Tanzanian entity engaged in the petroleum sector.
• SWALA Oil & GasminorOthers · 1 January 2015SWALA Oil & Gas is listed as a PURA partner/sponsor, engaged in upstream petroleum exploration activities in Tanzania.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ALNAFT (Agence Nationale pour la Valorisation des Ressources en Hydrocarbures): Algeria's national agency for development of hydrocarbon resources, overseeing licensing rounds and upstream regulation. Comparable to PURA on upstream regulatory scope; PURA engaged with ALNAFT on cooperation.
• Petroleum Commission Ghana: Ghana's upstream petroleum regulator responsible for licensing, exploration oversight, and local content. Comparable to PURA in mandate and West/East African emerging-market regulatory design.
• Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA): Sub-national upstream regulator for Zanzibar under Tanzania's union framework. Most directly comparable peer on mandate and jurisdiction; PURA and ZPRA signed an MOU in February 2022 covering joint technical committees and PSA cost audits.
• South Sudan Petroleum Authority: National upstream petroleum authority overseeing exploration and production in South Sudan. Comparable mandate to PURA and an identified cooperation partner of PURA.
• Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU): Statutory upstream petroleum regulator of Uganda with mandate over licensing, PSA oversight, and local content. Directly comparable to PURA in scope, regulatory architecture, and East African regional context; PURA and PAU signed a Cooperation Pact in 2025.
• Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Kenya: Kenya's integrated energy and petroleum regulator overseeing upstream petroleum licensing and operations alongside downstream functions. Comparable to PURA on upstream regulatory scope, and a peer in the EREA regional harmonization framework.
• Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC): Nigeria's statutory upstream oil and gas regulator created under the Petroleum Industry Act to oversee licensing, production, and fiscal terms. Closest analogue in mandate, structure, and scale to PURA, though operating in a far larger upstream market.

Emerging players

• Namibia Petroleum Commission: Emerging upstream regulator for Namibia's nascent petroleum sector following recent offshore discoveries. Comparable in mandate but smaller in scale and pipeline of activity than PURA.

Others

• Energy Regulators Association of East Africa (EREA): Regional association of East African energy regulators of which PURA is a member. Not a regulator itself but the convening body for peer-to-peer learning and regulatory harmonization directly relevant to PURA's institutional positioning.

Regional players

• Ministry of Energy and Mines (Republic of Congo) / SNPC: Republic of Congo's upstream petroleum oversight entities, including Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC). Comparable in upstream regulatory oversight but serving a Central African rather than East African jurisdiction.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pura_tz
• Facebookfacebook.com/PuraTz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/petroleum-upstream-regulatory-authority

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tanzania Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority