Africa Oil Makes Gas Discovery Onshore Kenya

East Africa focused Canadian firm Africa Oil Corp. on Tuesday announced it has made a gas discovery in Block 9 onshore Kenya.

The Sala-1 well was drilled to a total depth of 3030 meters. An upper gas bearing interval tested dry gas at a maximum rate of 6 mmcf/d from a 25 meter net pay interval.

Africa Oil is the operator of Block 9 with a 50% working interest. Marathon Oil Kenya has the remaining 50% interest.

An appraisal plan to follow up this discovery is currently being evaluated by the partnership in consultation with the Kenyan government.

“Plans being discussed include an up-dip location to confirm the areal extent of the gas zones tested where the full net sand interval can be intersected above the gas-water contact. The partnership is also considering a down-dip appraisal location to test an on-lapping stratigraphic wedge on the flanks of the structure which is of the same age as the zones in the nearby Ndovu-1 well which had oil and gas shows,” Africa Oil said.

In addition, the company is considering drilling an appraisal well on the crest of the large Bogal structure to confirm this large potential gas discovery which has closure over an area of up to 200 square kilometers.

The gross best estimate of prospective resources for Bogal are 1.8 trillion cubic feet of gas based on a third-party independent resource assessment, Africa Oil said.

The company believes there is a very strong market for gas development in Kenya and have already engaged in discussions with power companies and the government to potentially fast track a gas to power project that could add significant value and create benefits for the people of Kenya.