U.K. energy company Tullow Oil announced a new oil discovery in Northern Kenya on Tuesday.
The oil discovery in the well is a gross oil interval of 55 meters with 25 meters of net oil pay at a depth of 700 meters. The overall oil column for the field is considered to be 100 to 125 meters.
"Fluid samples taken and wireline logging all indicate the presence of recoverable oil," the company confirmed.
Tullow oil operates blocks with a 50 percent share interest and is partnered with Africa Oil Corporation and Maersk Oil both with 25 percent shares each.
"This is an exciting discovery from a bold exploration well that proves that oil has migrated to the northern limit of the South Lokichar basin. This extends the known hydrocarbon limits of the basin beyond the successful Etom discovery into the underexplored northern part of the basin where we have several undrilled prospects," Exploration Director of Tullow Angus Mccoss was quoted as saying.
The company plans further oil exploration drilling in the area nearby, according to Mccoss.
"Kenya currently does not produce any hydrocarbons, although the country has the potential to become an oil producer most likely after 2020. Over the past few years, several commercial oil discoveries have been made in Kenya, but the country faces obstacles that have caused production delays," according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
By Huseyin Erdogan
Anadolu Agency
huseyin.erdogan@aa.com.tr