Kenya to begin moving crude oil from Turkana to Mombasa port in May for export as it awaits pipeline to take shape
CS Munyes said the government has already addressed security and logistical challenges that marred the first attempt last July to start exports under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme.
Kenya plans to start transporting crude oil for export from Turkana to the Port of Mombasa as early as next month.
Petroleum Secretary John Munyes said the government has already addressed security and logistical challenges that marred the first attempt last July to start exports under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme.
Last year, Kenya was hoping to join the league of crude oil exporters in the world, by trucking crude oil from Lokichar basin in Turkana to the Port of Mombasa for shipment to the international market.
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However, the plans jointly by the government and Tullow Oil flopped due to poor road network, security concerns and lack of a law on revenue sharing.
Since then a lot has happen including French oil firm Total SA committing to building the oil pipeline, to make it possible for the second attempt.
Munyes further added that the construction of a crude oil pipeline from Lokichar to Lamu will start in the fourth quarter of this year.
Kenya plans to transport by road between 2,000 to 4,000 liters of the crude oil to the Changamwe storage facilities.
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Tullow Oil already has 70,000 barrels of crude stored in Lokichar in readiness for transportation to the Port of Mombasa by specialized lorries and has decried the delays in kick-starting the export programme.
Early oil exports would be followed by commercial production and exports after the pipeline is completed in the year 2021.
Munyes has also said the government will soon invite tenders for the exploration of crude oil and natural gas in Samburu County.
French oil giant total SA is developing the 820 kilometer heated crude oil pipeline through a public private partnership.
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Kenya has an estimated proven reserve of about 750 million barrels, but experts say the inventory is expected to be higher once exploration work is finished.
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