Tullow to begin drilling for oil in Elgeyo-Marakwet
Tullow's oil rig at Ngamia 1 in Turkana County. Oil prices in New York rose above $50 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since June, boosted by lower US petroleum inventories. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Last September, the planned drilling in Kerio Valley had run into headwinds as residents threatened to block the project, claiming they had not been involved in negotiations.
Tullow Kenya plans to drill its first exploration oil well in Elgeyo-Marakwet later this year, as the company continues to expand its oil and gas search into new areas within the country.
London-listed energy firm said the proposed well, named Lekep-A, will be the first to be drilled by Tullow on Block 12A in the Kerio Valley belt.
Last September, the planned drilling in Kerio Valley had run into headwinds as residents threatened to block the project, claiming they had not been involved in negotiations.
Speaking at a meeting with Elgeyo-Marakwet leaders in Iten, Rob Gerrits, Tullow Kenya social performance manager said the oil firm had already conducted an environment and social impact assessment exercise (ESIA) in readiness for the drilling which is expected to be approved soon.
“Before commencement of actual drilling operations, a series of pre-drilling activities will take place including consultations with host communities and their leaders, as well as seeking regulatory approvals from Government agencies including the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema),” said Mr Gerrits.
The exploration well is expected to test if there are commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in the area.
“We have conducted seismic surveys and identified a number of leads including the proposed Lekep-A well. Results as well as data collected from this exploration well are expected to provide further information for future drilling programs,” added Mr Gerrits.
