Erin Energy Seeks First Exploration Extension Period on Kenya’s Block L1B and L16

Erin Energy formerly CAMAC Energy has said met with the government of Kenya and has requested approval to move into the first exploration extension period on blocks L1b and L16 having completed preliminary interpretation of the seismic acquisition.

In May 2012 the company was awarded 4 Production Sharing Contracts in the Lamu Basin of Kenya for a combined acreage of 36,913 km2 among them being block L1B is onshore and block L16 for a period of 3 years.

Block L1B is onshore while block L16 is along the coast and is partly onshore and partly offshore in shallow water.

Following the seismic acquisition the Geoscience and Engineering Team has identified several very exciting leads in the area that are analogous to hydrocarbon discoveries in the greater East African area.

The 2D seismic program whose contract was signed in September last year was conducted by BGP Kenya Limited and covers approximately 700 line kilometers on L-1B and 325 line kilometers on L-16.

CAMAC had initially reported that Polaris Seismic International Limited has been engaged to conduct a 2D seismic survey covering 125,000 acres (506 sq. km.) within Block L16 partly onshore and partly offshore Kenya.

“The preliminary results from data processing in the field are encouraging. These seismic surveys are fundamental to advancing our onshore Kenya work program and our understanding of the resource potential on these blocks and will help us determine potential locations to begin our exploration drilling,” commented Segun Omidele, Senior Vice President of Exploration and Production.

Should the request be accepted by the government through the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum the company will be expected to relinquish 30 percent of their former acreage to focus on more prospective zones.