Seismic Acquisition in Kenya’s Block 2A Paralyzed After Row With Local Community

Oil exploration in Wajir has been paralyzed for about a week after equipment being utilized in the ongoing 2D seismic acquisition was vandalized as the local community blamed Simba Energy of not honoring the MoU.

According to the company country managing director James Jenkin members of the local committee have incited the community misleading them on the effect of the ongoing seismic exercise.

“We are here and we just want to work, we have abided by rules and regulations set by the local and national government. Individuals have been misled on our workings on the ground and how this will destroy their lives,” says Jenkins.

A member of the committee has however accused the company of not honoring the MoU it signed with the community saying the company must abide or pack and leave.

According to another member the company has contributed to the area with jobs as well as income and those opposed to its activities are not honest.

2D seismic which commenced in June started on a rocky start following days of opposition by the adjacent community in Wajir who feared that the exercise would lead to the destruction of the environment and displacement from fields the pastoralist communities grazes their animals for pasture.

The seismic exercise involves the acquiring and interpreting of up to 500 line kms of 2D seismic data which will also confirm depths and support the volume estimates necessary for a revised resource estimate and risk category for the concession’s prospects and other secondary targeted structures.

Just last week Essel Group Middle East a joint venture partner in Kenya’s Block 2A announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a new skid mounted drilling rig as it prepares to drill in the license in Q4 2016.