28 October 2009
Nairobi — It was cautious optimism on Wednesday as Kenya's hunt for oil reached a decisive stage as the country prepared to sink the latest oil exploration well.
Dubbed 'bogal', the well to be drilled by Chinese exploration firm - CNOOC - will be the country's 32nd.
Since the, 1964 Kenya has drilled a total of 31 wells, the deepest of which was 4,394 metres - all of which turned out to be dry.
The last oil exploratory well-dubbed 'pombo' and drilled by Australian firm Woodside at a cost of US$92 million - was off shore.
Ministry of energy officials insist that despite too many dry wells, country's exploration record is satisfactory, pointing out that in the Southern Sudan region, 80 wells were sunk before the region finally struck oil.
Hopes remained high even as geologists tried to temper expectations, warning against "too much hype" and statements that can create too high public expectations and excitement.
However, opinion remains unanimous that even if CNOOC end up with a dry well, the attempt represents a major achievement for Kenya - considering the depth of the new well.
At 5.6 kilometres deep, this is going to be the deepest oil exploratory well to be sunk in Africa.
Geologist have predicted that a discovery of gas was also a major possibility in the block where CNOOC has sunk a well.
According to data from the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), says there are four four sedimentary basins with potential for oil and gas namely: Lamu, Mandera, Anza, and Lodwar (East Africa Rift).
CNOCC's prospect is located in the Anza Graben. To date, there have been only 10 wells drilled in the Anza basin which is three times larger than the Albertine basin in Uganda.
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