OREANDA-NEWS. Australian independent Woodside Petroleum has decided against proceeding with the next stage of exploration at the Lake Tanganyika South block in western Tanzania, passing on an agreement struck last year with fellow Australian independent Beach Energy.

The link-up with Beach in Tanzania was part of a strategy by Woodside to expand its exploration presence in Africa. Woodside already has exploration interests in Gabon, Cameroon and Morocco.

Beach said it preserved its right to proceed with the next exploration stage. It is assessing all options for the Lake Tanganyika South block for its 100pc interest in the permit.

This is the second key partner Beach has lost in an upstream exploration venture. Chevron decided in March against the next stage of exploration activity for unconventional gas resources in the Cooper basin in South Australia through its joint venture with Beach.