Petrobras has farmed out a 12% working interest in deepwater Block 6 offshore Tanzania to Statoil, which has itself already made several significant gas discoveries off the coast of the east African country.

The block covers 5,549sq km in the Mafia basin, with an average water depth of 1,800 m (5,906 ft). Petrobras is currently the operator of the block consortium with a 50% stake, with Shell Deepwater Tanzania B.V. holding the other 50%. After the farm- out completion, Petrobras Tanzania Ltd. will remain as operator with 38%, Statoil Tanzania will hold 12%, while Shell will still hold the remaining 50%.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Tanzanian authorities. Block 6 is approximately 170 km north of the Statoil-operated Block 2, where in 2012 and 2013 it has made three high-impact gas discoveries.