This morning I woke up at 4 am in the morning to catch a flight to Kapese, Lokichar in Turkana County. This is the crude oil capital of Kenya. It was my first time flying via Wilson airport on board of a Safari Link plane.
I must admit that it is an enjoyable experience than going through Eldoret then Lodwar. On arrival we headed to Tullow Oil to learn ways that the oil company is employing in its engagement with the local community.
At exactly 9 am we arrived at Lokichar Community Resource Center where we learnt from the Tullow officer on the ground. The company’s Grievance Officer was very useful in explaining to us how community issues are resolved.
Tullow Oil Plc Background
Tullow Oil is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company that was founded in 1986. It has its operations in 22 countries and a total of 70 production fields. The company controls 305,634 square kilometers of land. It has operations in South Africa, Kenya, Ireland, Ghana and Uganda. Its corporate headquarters are based in Ireland. In Africa, the company is already producing oil in Ghana for the export market.
In Kenya Tullow Oil established its operations in 2010 by acquiring 50% interest in Blocks 13T, 10BA, 10A, 10BB and 12A.
In 2011, Seismic surveys were commenced followed by drilling at Ngamia 1. The following year, 2012 the very first discovery was made at Ngamia 1. This was followed by another discovery at Twiga South -1 in the current block 13T.
2013
The company made 3 more oil discoveries at Agete-1, Etuko-1 and Ekales-1.
2014
Further discoveries were made at Ewoi-1, Amosing-1 but block 10A was relinquished.
2015
More exploration, appraisal as well as development scheduled in Blocks 12A, 13T and 10BB.
Tullow Oil Stocks
The Tullow Oil Plc shares are listed on Ghana, London and Irish Stock exchanges.
Lokichar Community Resource Center
- Enterprise development
- Training of business people on entrepreneurship
- There is a library stocked with materials on oil and gas.
- Internet and printing services
I was impressed to find an air-conditioned roomed with the vicinity of the resource center. In other setting it can create a very conducive environment as a lecture room full with Dell laptops.
Back to Tullow business in Kenya
The company drilled a total of 38 wells but only discovered oil in 7 wells. Currently, it is confirmed that the wells can produce 750 million barrels of oil.
The company is carrying other exploration activities in other counties along Lake Victoria region.
Tullow is also planning for testing activities through injecting water into the oil well. This is the process they use to force out the crude oil.
Oil Transportation
Originally, Kenya had planned to collaborate with Uganda in constructing an oil pipeline. This planned project flopped after Uganda pulled out of the negotiations and decided to go the Tanzania way.
There are two options available for oil transportation. The first option is, transporting oil on trucks to Eldoret and loading it into trains for its final destination in Mombasa.
Option 2 involved trucking the oil from the production fields all the way to a storage facility in Mombasa and eventually exportation to global markets.
The oil has to be stored at the port at the coast until it reaches the minimum of 250,000 barrels and then.
How does Tullow Oil Handle
Handling of toxic and non-toxic wastes are handled by a private contractor. The contractor follows all the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) rules and regulations.
Challenges
Tullow Oil plc has always faced numerous challenges such as opposition from community. For instance, in 2013 the company’s activities came to a stand still for two weeks.
Let me sleep earlier, tomorrow I have some business to attend to.
