Drilling Commences at Emekuya Well in Kenya’s Block 13T

The Emekuya exploration well targeting the north-eastern flank of the Etom Complex has spud according to the latest update from JV partner Africa Oil.

The well is among three additional prospects by the joint venture after completion of the earlier proposed wells including Erut 1, Amosing 6 and Ngamia 10 all of which have been successful.

The commencement of drilling follows a Drill Stem Test at the Etom-2 well whose results are yet to be announced.

Meanwhile the update from Africa Oil indicates that the Ngamia-11 water flood pilot to be incorporated into the Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS) activities which, along with the dynamic data collected from previous tests, will be used to finalize reservoir characteristics for the Field Development Plan.

The EOPS plan expected to start mid this month expects to transport 2000 barrels daily from the Lokichar storage to the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited before  evacuation for export in June. The preparations continue even as locals threatened to disrupt the trucking of oil out of Turkana until negotiations on how revenue is to be shared, job allocation and infrastructure deals are finalised.

In a petition addressed to the ministry of energy through the Turkana Empowerment Advocacy Group the residents demanded that they also be informed on how they are likely to be compensated in case of an oil spill promising to block the EOPS till their demands are met.

The advocacy group accuses the parties of leaving the community out of negotiations on the project.

“It’s not enough for oil companies in Kenya to just negotiate with government and local politicians representing local communities, especially when there are suspicions of leaders receiving bribes to silence people. Early Oil Pilot Scheme is one of the sensitive projects in extractive industry which requires wide community consultation not just our MPs and MCAs,” the group said in a facebook post.

The lobby is now threatening to protest in their latest update on the social media platform.

The government has however said that there will be consultations in the coming days to resolve the issues.

“We have planned consultations with the community next week as to when we hope to iron all underlying issues. We do not however expect to have any problems by the time EOPS commences,” Energy PS Andrew Kamau told OilNews Kenya.