Origin JV Discovers Gas Offshore Kenya

A joint venture of Apache Corp., Origin Energy, Pancontinental Oil & Gas and Tullow Oil has discovered natural gas off the coast of Kenya.

Apache operates and owns 50% of the joint venture while Australia's Origin Energy Ltd. owns 20%, Pancontinental owns 15% and Tullow Oil owns 15%.

Pancontinental Oil & Gas said in a statement that Mbawa well has reached a depth of 2,553m. The well hit net gas column of about 52 meters.

The secondary exploration target is deeper than the current drill depth and it is anticipated that this will be penetrated once the current wireline logs have been run and drilling has recommenced. The planned total depth of the well is 3,275m, the company statement said.