Tullow reports on first well in the Kerio basin in Kenya

Tullow Oil PLC, London, reported that its first well in the Kerio basin in Kenya had “encouraging hydrocarbon shows,” but alluvial sands in reservoirs were of “mixed quality.”

The Kodos-1 wildcat in Block 10BB was drilled to 2,500 m. The Weatherford Rig-804 will move 25 km north and drill the Epir-1.

“The potential of the Kerio basin remains highly prospective,” said Angus McCoss, exploration director.

Also on Block 10BB, Tullow said the Ekosowan-1 exploratory well in the South Lokichar basin encountered a 900-m section of “near-continuous oil shows throughout an interval of tight-faulted sands.” The Sakson PR-5 rig drilled to 2,029 m.

“We look forward to stepping out from Ekosowan towards the Amosing oil field in pursuit of better reservoirs,” McCoss said.

A 3D seismic survey is expected to be complete in December, and subsequent drilling “will target better developed reservoir expected between” Ekosowan-1 and Amosing-1.

And, in another effort to appraise the Ngamia-1 discovery well, the PR Marriott Rig-46 drilled the Ngamia-4 to 1,814 m, encountering up to 120 m of net pay, of which 80 m was oil. The rig will drill the Ngamia-5 to help assess reservoir connectivity in the field, which is the largest discovery in the South Lokichar basin.

The company added that its Engomo-1 wildcat will be the first test of the North Turkana basin.

In Block 13T, a workover rig completed four flow tests on the Twiga-2A, achieving production rates of 150-3,270 b/d under natural flow. The rig will move to the Amosing field to begin extended well testing.

Tullow, operator of both 10BB and 13T, holds equal interest along with Africa Oil Corp.