Kenya Maps Out Eight Oil, Gas Blocks for Exploration

Kenya has mapped out eight new blocks for onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration, Reuters reported quoting a top Energy Ministry official.

'We have mapped eight blocks and forwarded them to be included in the official Kenya gazette,' Permanent Secretary for Energy Patrick Nyoike told Reuters without giving further details on where the blocks would be. The new licensing round will introduce an auction-style format to licensing blocks in east Africa's biggest economy.

Previously the country operated more on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Energy ministry said last month it wanted to demarcate some new blocks around the Lokichar Basin, where Tullow made both its oil finds, and the Lamu Basin, where Apache made a gas find, Reuters said.