Kenya is set to begin transporting crude oil from Turkana to the Mombasa port for export in May this year.
John Munyes, Petroleum CS says the government has found solutions to security and logistical problems that affected the first attempt to begin exports in July last year under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme. Additionally, he says the construction of the crude oil pipeline from Lokichar to Lamu will begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.
In 2017, Kenya hoped to become part of crude oil exporters in the world by transporting crude oil from the Lokichar basin in Turkana to the Mombasa Port for shipping to the international market. However, the plans by the government and Tullow Oil failed because of the poor road network, insecurity, and lack of a revenue-sharing law.
Kenya plans to transport between 2,000 and 4,000 litres of crude oil by road to Changamwe storage facilities. Already, 70,000 barrels of crude oil stored in Lokichar are ready for transportation to Mombasa by special trucks.
Early oil exportation will be followed by commercial production and exportation once the pipeline is complete in 2021.
CS Munyes also said the government will invite for tenders for the exploration of crude oil and natural gas in Samburu County soon.
Kenya has a reserve of about 750 million barrels and experts believe the inventory could be higher when exploration work is completed.
Total SA is developing the heated crude oil pipeline which stretches 820 kilometres through a public-private partnership.
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