(Ecofin Agency) - Tullow Oil is to commence the drilling of its Erut well in Block 13T in the south Lokichar basin on December 16, 2016, the company’s Kenyan exploration manager, Kevin Christopherson, revealed. This he declared at the just concluded SPE/AAPG Africa Energy and Technology Conference which took place in Nairobi.

According to Christopherson, the well has the potential to de-risk the northern prospects and will target the auwerwer and lokone at less than 1,600 meters. Upon completion of the Erut well, the company will forge ahead to drill the Etete well which is set to be drilled in January to the southern side of the Etom complex, while the appraisal of the Ngamia and Amosing Updips fields in Blocks 13T and 10BB are expected to start in February and March respectively.

Tullow Oil also plans to appraise the Lopara & Ekosowan North Prospects, which will test huge stratigraphic trap between Amosing & Ekosowan. The stratigraphic trap is capable of retaining hydrocarbons, formed by changes in rock type, unconformities, or sedimentary features such as reefs.

The Lopara & Ekosowan prospects have the potentials to increase significant resources & extend the Amosing development, Oil News Kenya reports.

Tullow has so far discovered resources of more than 760 Mmbbls with a benefit of 1.6 billion barrels in the South Lokichar Basin in Kenya.

Anita Fatunji