Tullow discovers oil in Northern Kenya

Tullow Oil has announced that the Erut-1 well located in Block 13T in Northern Kenya has encountered a gross oil interval of 55m with 25m of net oil pay at a depth of 700m.

The overall oil column for the field is considered to be 100m to 125m.

Tullow Oil exploration director Angus Mccoss said: “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. Following the scheduled appraisal wells at Amosing-6 and Ngamia-10, further exploration drilling of this area is now being planned.”

The well targeted a structural trap at the northern limit of the South Lokichar basin.

The Erut-1 well was drilled 10km north of the Etom-2 well and the company took fluid samples and wireline logging. The evaluation of the collected data indicated the presence of recoverable oil. 

Erut-1 reveals that oil has migrated to the northern limit of the South Lokichar basin, which has de-risked multiple prospects in this area.

The site can be included in the future exploration and appraisal drilling programme.

The PR Marriott Rig-46 was used to drill the Erut-1 well to the depth of 1,317m and will now be deployed to the southern part of Block 10BB.

It will be utilised to drill the Amosing-6 appraisal well.

Tullow holds the operatorship of Blocks 13T and 10BB with 50% interest. The remaining stake is equally owned by Africa Oil Corporation and Maersk Oil with 25% each.

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Image: Tullow's Erut-1 well discovers oil in Kenya. Photo: courtesy of Tullow Oil.