Petroleum Ministry Wants Petroleum Bill 2017 Passed in 2 Months

The ministry of petroleum and mining wants the Petroleum (Exploration, Development & Production) Bill 2017 passed by May according to new cabinet secretary John Munyes.

Speaking at the ongoing annual energy conference CERA week Munyes told delegates that his ministry will work to ensure the law is passed as well as ensure that the National Oil corporation emerges as a key player in the emerging oil and gas sector in Kenya.

The passing of the Petroleum Bill is important in the next two months as Kenya plans to start the early oil pilot scheme project which will see the trucking of 2000 barrels a day of crude oil from Lokichar to Mombasa.

The Bill which is currently in the public participation stage before heading back to parliament for the second reading for discussion. Just last week the Kenya Oil and Gas Working Group called on parliament to better define the roles of the petroleum cabinet secretary, national environment management authority and the upstream petroleum authority in their submissions to parliament.

According to the lobby the lack of clarity could lead to conflict between the CS Petroleum and mining, the Upstream Petroleum authority and Advisory Committee in the area of granting licenses and reporting to contractors.

Munyes is accompanied by National Oil board chair Sam Gakunga, CEO Ms. MaryJane Mwangi, Ag. GM Upstream Mr. Francis Njuguna and Head of Strategy & Corporate Affairs Mr. Ken Mugambi representing Kenya at CERA Week