Kenya's First Crude Oil Drilling Rig Arrives at Mombasa Port

Kenya's push to produce its first crude oil has gained momentum as an onshore drilling rig, valued at over $20 million (Sh2.59 billion), arrived at the Port of Mombasa. The GW70 rig was transported from Duqm Port in Oman and will be offloaded ahead of its transportation by road to Turkana County.

Gulf Energy E&P BV SEZ, the firm behind the oil project, has scheduled November 1 as the spud date for drilling activities under the first phase. The project is expected to produce 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day before increasing output to 50,000 barrels per day in the second phase.

The South Lokichar development is part of Kenya's broader strategy to develop its petroleum resources and increase domestic economic benefits from the basin. The government projects potential lifetime earnings of more than $2.9 billion (Sh375.90 billion), depending on prevailing global oil prices and production volumes.