Kenya - BLOCK 11B

Expanding our significant exploration portfolio

Overview

Bowleven’s entry to Kenya in late 2012 represented a new venture opportunity for the Group. Located in an emerging hydrocarbon province, block 11B is situated at the intersection of the tertiary and cretaceous East African Rift systems.

Key Facts*

  • Acreage: ~14,000km2
  • Bowleven (Kenya) Limited Equity: 50% (Adamantine Energy 50%)
  • Operator: Adamantine (Bowleven providing technical and other services)
  • Planned Activity: 2D seismic

*source: full year 2015 Annual Report & Accounts

Kenya

Block 11B in the Turkana district of north-west Kenya is ideally located at the intersection of the Tertiary and Cretaceous East African rift systems. The block is on trend with oil production to the north-west in Sudan in the Melut and Muglad basins and is north of recent oil discoveries in Kenya.

Block 11B encompasses an area covering the Loeli, Lotikipi, Gatome and South Gatome basins. These basins are a part of the geologically young East African Rift system to the north of the Lokichar Basin, where significant discoveries have recently been made (Ngamia, Twiga).

Block 11B is early stage exploration acreage in a region that has attracted high profile attention from industry majors and leading independents. Drilling activity by one operator in the region has demonstrated prospectivity with hydrocarbon discoveries.

Acquisition of an extensive block-wide airborne geophysical survey (FTG) was completed in 2013. Interpretation indicates the presence of a number of geological basins and provides clear imaging of primary structural features, facilitating a targeted 2D seismic programme. 

Logistical issues, including security concerns, delayed the commencement of a 2D seismic programme and the operator was unable to acquire the data prior to the expiry of the first license phase (May 2015).  A one-year extension was subsequently awarded by the Kenyan authorities. The licence expired at the end of May 2016.

 

Adamantine Energy

Adamantine Energy Ltd is a privately owned oil and gas exploration company with exploration interests across East Africa. Bowleven provides technical and other support e.g. geological and geophysical services to Adamantine, as operator of block 11B, under an arm’s length technical services agreement (TSA).

Bowleven (Kenya) Limited

Bowleven holds its acreage in Kenya in Bowleven (Kenya) Limited. Bowleven (Kenya) Limited is a 70% subsidiary of Bowleven Group.

First Oil

First Oil plc, is a privately owned UK E&P company.