Kenya has opened up 35 petroleum blocks to investors in the oil exploration sector, an official said on Friday.
Andrew Kamau, Principal Secretary in the ministry of petroleum and mining, said that the blocks that are both onshore and offshore are based in the coastal county of Lamu.
The country has made strides with Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS) where barrels of crude oil has been dispatched through the Lokichar-Lamu Crude oil pipeline, said Kamau.
He said that since the commissioning of the EOPS, the trucking of crude oil by road from Lokichar in northern county of Turkana to the port city of Mombasa has gone overdrive.
Kamau noted that the final investment decision is expected before the end of 2019 while the initial oil is export is expected in 2021.
The official said that the Environmental Impact Assessment by National Environmental Management Authority is almost complete to allow smooth operations at the oil fields.
"We are currently discussing with the various financial institutions with the aim of expanding the project as we are hopeful it is a worthy business venture," said Kamau.
The exploration of oil in Kenya has been going on for decades and to date, a total of 94 wells have been drilled, 63 petroleum exploration blocks gazetted while 30 blocks are licensed.
Kenya discovered the first crude oil in 2012 in South Lokichar basin in the arid Turkana County.
Kamau revealed that Environmental and Social Impact Assessment license has been secured and an application for an operating permit from the Energy Regulatory Commission has also been applied for.
"We have completed Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) road works and the routine inspection of Early Oil Pilot Scheme wells," said Kamau.
He said that KeNHA has so far completed road works on five of the seven roads along the crude oil transport corridor.
The official said the government is continuing with the upgrade of Kenya Petroleum Refinery as well as engaging in marketing ventures of the product.
Kamau added that countries including Australia, India, and Greece have expressed interest in Kenya's crude oil.
Editor:Cherie
