Oil Exploration Companies in Troubled Kenya-Somalia Maritime Border

April 23, 2012 | Posted by David James | Energy Intelligence

Intelligence about Kenya-Somalia border oil exploration blocks and maritime border show’s that major oil exploration companies awarded oil farming rights may suffer losses if the row is not resolved.

Apache Corporation and UK’s Tullow Oil Plc acquired rights for offshore blocks in Lamu near the Kenya Somali border after specifying they wanted deepwater offshore blocks in Kenya.

Intelligence shows that Kenya mapped out eight new oil exploration blocks with four in Lamu attracting five companies which are France’s Total, Norway’s Statoil, Brazil’s Petrobras, Apache Corporation and UK’s Tullow Oil Plc.

Kenya now has 46 oil exploration blocks.

The blocks are east of existing ones off the coast of Kenya and are between 10,000 square km and 15,000 square km in area. The blocks depth is between 2,600 and 4,000 meters deep.

Explorers are collecting and analyzing 2D and 3D seismic data and drilling exploratory wells.

Apache Corporation and UK’s Tullow Oil Plc have not commented on the problem with Tullow having already discovered oil in Turkana at its Ngamia-1 well.

The Somalia side of the border might be the problem due to risks of insecurity while the Kenyan side is relatively peaceful and secure.

Apache Corporation and UK’s Tullow Oil Plc are assessing the risks but the Kenyan government has downplayed the issue saying it will provide security and reduce any risk of losses to the explorers.

Faafin: SomaliTalk.com | April 23, 2012

iyo Kenya oo si xad gudub ah ugu andacooneysa in xuduudda badda ee u dhexeysa Soomaaliya iyo Kenya ay kala qaybiso xarriiq jiifta oo u socota dhanka Bari.... taas oo ah middii ay hore uga dhiidhiyeen shacabka Soomaaliyeed ee Baarlamaanka Soomaaliya. Sii Akhri