Kenya to Start Commercial Oil Production by 2026, Confirms CS Wandayi


(Photo Courtesy: Person filling petrol into a car) 

Kenya is set to begin commercial oil production by the end of 2026, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has confirmed. 

The government is eager to move beyond exploration to fully develop the Turkana oil fields, a key step for the country’s energy sector.

The Lokichar Basin in Turkana, known for its significant oil reserves, has faced slow development despite years of exploration.

 The exit of British company Tullow Oil in April created uncertainty about the project’s future. 

However, Gulf Energy Ltd is finalising the purchase of Tullow’s Kenyan assets, bringing new hope.

Speaking on NTV, Wandayi said Gulf Energy is preparing the necessary financial and technical resources to advance the project. 

Once the government approves their Field Development Plan, commercial production will begin, with the first oil expected to be exported by late 2026.

Wandayi explained why Kenya has not built a refinery, stating the current oil deposits are too small to support one economically. It remains cheaper to import refined products for now.

The South Lokichar Basin has been explored since Tullow’s discovery at Ngamia-1 in 2012, with further finds at Amosing, Twiga, and Etuko fields. Together, these reserves could hold about 560 million barrels of recoverable oil, although the total oil in place might be up to 4 billion barrels.


The Field Development Plan aims to extract roughly 433 million barrels over 25 years. 

Early production could reach 60,000 to 100,000 barrels daily, making it one of East Africa’s most promising oil projects before delays caused by financial and operational issues.

Kenya’s oil future looks promising as the project moves closer to commercial production.

SOURCE 

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