Tullow looks for Kenya oil buyers

Tullow oil is looking for buyers of small-scale crude petroleum exports from Kenya as the firm gears up for commercial production. It has reported initial market reactions as being very position. Government officials have previously reported interest from buyers in Europe, China and India.

Tullow has invested more than $1 billion in the country during the exploration and development phase and is now moving to produce 2,000 barrels daily by April. The central processing facility has capacity for 60,000 to 80,000. The oil will be exported via Lamu.

The firm has however identified several key conditions that must be in place before it commits to commercial oil production, including the completion of commercial framework agreements with the Government, and the submission of various Environmental Social Impact Assessments. It says it intends to make a Final Investment Decision by the end of 2019.