Kenya’s Energy Minister Diminishes Offshore Gas Commercial Hopes

With Kenya’s first offshore gas discovery announced on September 10, the country’s energy minister said that Kenya’s potential was not large enough for commercial production. The Mbawa-1 well was reported a success by the Apache-led partnership with one of the partners, Pancontinental, claiming that it led to the first major gas discovery in Kenya.

"The total amount of gas found is not sufficient in isolation to be commercial. We are, however, encouraged that a reservoir containing hydrocarbons has been found," Kenya's Energy Minster Kiraitu Murungi told a news conference.

Managing director of Apache Kenya Tim Gilblom said that in his opinion, finding hydrocarbons below the basins gives reasoning to a higher probability of more. "The key to remember is that we've proven that there is hydrocarbon source below Lamu Basin offshore Kenya and now all we have to do is further characterize it to figure out where the best next place to drill is," Gilblom said.