Tullow faces further setback in Kenya as Total, Africa oil quit
TotalEnergies SE and Africa Oil Corp. are abandoning a project in Kenya, increasing challenges for operator Tullow Oil Plc following a yearslong effort to get the development off the ground.
Tullow found crude in the East African country more than a decade ago, but commercial extraction is yet to begin as it’s failed to find an additional partner and Kenya’s government has been slow to approve a development plan.
With Total and Africa Oil now exiting, Tullow is left on its own to get the project under way.
Below is a statement on the development:
Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) announces that Tullow Kenya B.V., as operator of its licences in Kenya, has been informed by its two minority partners of their intention to issue notices of withdrawal from Blocks 10BB, 13T and 10BA in the South Lokichar Basin (the ‘Project’) for differing internal strategic reasons. As a result, Tullow’s working interest in these blocks will increase from 50% to 100%.
The Board considers that owning 100% of the Project creates more optionality, gives Tullow more flexibility in the ongoing process to secure strategic partners, creates a simpler Joint Venture Partnership and streamlines project delivery. This is a low-cost development project that has the potential to unlock material value for Kenya.
The prospective strategic partners have been informed. They remain engaged and detailed farm-out discussions continue with a number of companies. Whilst the process has taken longer than expected, Tullow remains focused on securing a strategic partnership this year.
Project progress continues and the updated Field Development Plan (FDP) was submitted to the Kenyan regulator, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), in March 2023 and is now under review by EPRA. Tullow will continue to work collaboratively with Government of Kenya and EPRA to get the FDP approved.
Following the withdrawal of the minority partners, Tullow’s net Project 2C contingent resources are expected to increase from 231 mmboe to 461 mmboe, taking the Group’s total contingent resources from 605 mmboe to 836 mmboe. Net capex guidance for 2023 in Kenya will increase from c.$10 million to c.$15 million, less than 5% of Group capex.
Tullow looks forward to continuing its work with the Government of Kenya and its host communities to make the region a significant energy producing province.
