Firms in oil and gas told to register in digital database

Developed by the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) in collaboration with Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), the Common Qualification System (CQS) has so far registered over 300 local professionals and over 1900 suppliers.

PURA’s head of local content and stakeholder engagement, Charles Nyangi made the call in Dar es Salaam on Friday when opening a one-day investors’ meeting to furnish them with the new changes which also requires companies in the industry to now submit their applications and reports online.

“We have brought here today, companies working in the petroleum upstream projects them on the new digital system which has replaced paper works requiring the operators to submit their local content plan and reports every end of the year,” he said.

He said Tanzanians who are legally eligible to serve in the sector are encouraged to register in the database, as by doing so; companies and big investors will be able to see them easily.

“I encourage professionals and suppliers in the sector to register through the system to ensure they stand a chance to take part in several activities including the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project and many other opportunities,” he said.

Nyangi said in a bid to ensure that locals benefit well in the upstream oil and gas projects, PURA has been supervising to ensure that the investors also engage local experts in the projects.

He further said the authority was determined to increase participation of Tanzanians in the extraction sector through awareness campaigns and building capacity to enable them exploit opportunities in the natural gas value chain.

Data shows that over 50 per cent of the country’s total area has been blessed with potential sedimentary basins which, if well explored could transform the oil and gas sector in the country.

Ally Mluge, community development officer at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) said the new digital system was important as it will greatly help companies and stakeholders to communicate with the authorities easily thus saving both money and time.

He commended PURA and EWURA for coming up with the system.

Local Content is the development of local skills, oil and gas technology transfer, and use of local manpower and local manufacturing in order to stimulate the development of capabilities of Tanzanians and to encourage local investment and participation.