There have been several gas discoveries on the coastal shore of the Indian Ocean at Songosongo, Mnazi bay and Mkuranga in Coast Region. These discoveries are catalysts of natural gas developments in Tanzania. Currently there are 22 Oil Companies undertaking exploration activities for oil and gas in the country. These companies include: BG Group, Statoil, Petrobas and Ophir Energy. Tanzania is becoming a regional hub after flurry of discoveries, it is said to be blessed with over 41.7 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves at the latest estimates.

Tanzania is a major producer of natural gas and has been exporting the product for more than 50 years. The first natural gas discovery in Tanzania was Songo Songo Island (Lindi Region) followed by Mnazi Bay (Mtwara Region). Tanzania has 842 kilometers (km) of gas transmission pipelines, of which 58 km is utilized for industrial customers in Dar es Salaam. The discovered natural gas reserves amount to 57.54 trillion standard cubic feet (TCF) according to the Ministry of Energy data (December 2017).  Tanzania does not produce crude oil and has not experienced a recent commercial oil discovery. Tanzania typically consumes around 35,000 barrels per day of refined oil products, all of which are imported.