Oil and Gas

Tanzania’s natural gas discoveries and evolving petroleum framework have made the country a serious energy jurisdiction. FIN & LAW advises international and local participants across the oil and gas value chain - upstream, midstream and downstream - under the Petroleum Act and the oversight of PURA and EWURA.

We advise on licensing and production sharing arrangements, farm-in and farm-out transactions, and the local content requirements that shape how projects are staffed and supplied. Our downstream practice covers petroleum wholesale and retail licensing, storage and distribution agreements, and pricing regulation.

With energy projects come land, environmental, tax and financing questions - all of which we handle within one firm, giving clients coherent advice across the whole project stack.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the oil and gas sector regulated in Tanzania?

The petroleum sector is governed by a dedicated legal and regulatory framework covering upstream, midstream, and downstream activities, with oversight from specialist regulators. Licensing, local content, and safety and environmental compliance are central features.

What are local-content requirements?

Local-content rules generally require operators to prioritise local goods, services, and employment, and to support skills transfer. Companies entering the sector should plan for these obligations from the outset.

What contracts are typical in oil and gas projects?

These projects often involve production-sharing or licensing arrangements, joint-operating agreements, and a range of service and supply contracts. Because of the scale and long timelines, careful risk allocation and dispute-resolution provisions are important.