Kenya has begun oil and gas exploration activities in the Lamu Basin, ignoring the ICJ ruling over a maritime dispute with Somalia.
Petroleum commissioner James Ng’ang’a said that ENI Kenya Business Venture, formerly Agip, started drilling last month at Mlima-1 well, which is also known as Block L11B., following seismic surveys that revealed the area has potential for oil and gas. The company expects to release deposits results of the commercial viability of the block in two months.
Since April last year, the country has been mapping for oil and gas deposits in the Lamu Basin despite a border row over the area with Somalia. The basin stretches from the Kenya-Somali border to the boundary with Tanzania, and Kenya is banking on its large area to secure oil production wells.
However, the basin lies within the disputed territory with Somalia that has been the cause of a diplomatic case between the two countries.
The country has four petroleum exploration basins including Lamu. The others are Anza, Mandera and Tertiary Rift Basin.
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