Overview
Orca Exploration Group Inc. (formerly East Coast Energy Corporation) is the first, and currently the only, developer of gas markets in East Africa. There are no commercial gas discoveries in Uganda or Kenya.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are currently reliant on the importation of oil for many of their industries and for much of their thermal generation. All three countries have significant hydro generation that is dependent on the annual rainfalls. In recent years, lower than average rainfalls have seen these countries having to rebalance their generation mix.
In the near term, the Company is focusing its marketing activities on the power and industrial sectors in the Dar es Salaam area. In the longer term, Orca Exploration has identified high potential natural gas marketing opportunities within other commercial centres in Tanzania and in neighbouring Kenya. These may be pursued if sufficient
Additional Gas reserves are proved up. The installation of additional thermal power generating capacity is a priority in Tanzania and could provide the opportunity for Tanzania to become the thermal hub for East Africa if additional reservoirs are discovered.
To further expand gas sales, Orca is planning (in collaboration with TDPC) to sell Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to industrial customers and to new markets that are not located near the existing distribution pipeline. These new markets include all major hotels in the Dar es Salaam area and in Zanzibar. Sale of CNG is expected to commence in 2008.