Kenya Upstream Sector Activity to Remain Dismal Unless Government Renews or Extends Expired Licenses

The Kenya upstream sector will continue to witness a depressed environment with most planned activities unlikely to continue after multiple drill ready prospects  in various licenses remain unattended after expiry of production sharing contracts.

Other than drilling activity offshore in the Lamu basin expected to spud in the second quarter of 2021, the inland blocks continue to remain silent with Tullow, Total and Africa Oil continuing with boardroom discussions ahead of FID expected in Q4 of 2021. Four  drill ready wells remain in doubt unless license holders are granted additional time  to complete drilling with some operators already having contracted suppliers.

There is further no planned seismic acquisition in the country after various licenses where seismic studies were expected expired in either 2019 or 2020. The delays in such studies further spells doom for the exploration stage in general with expected delays in drilling in such licenses. In total three licenses to  blocks where seismic acquisition was to happen have expired with no clear sign as to when such activity will resume.

This details are part of the Kenya Upstream Sector Activity Outlook 2021-2022 released today by OilNews Kenya an arm of OilNews Afrika.  For a copy contact our sales team at sales@oilnewskenya.com or +254724684368.