Tullow may start fracking in Kenya

Tullow Oil’s latest African oil find could lead to the Irish-founded explorer embarking on a round of so-called ‘unconventional’ exploration, or ‘fracking’, in Kenya.

Africa Oil — one of Tullow’s main operational partners in Kenya — yesterday reported the discovery of 62 metres of net oil pay at the Twiga-2 side-track well in the north of the country.

The additional find comes after a decision to side-track the main Twiga-2 well after limited reservoir quality was initially discovered.

Tullow’s exploration director, Angus McCoss said the newly discovered material oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs confirm the resource’s potential and gives “valuable insights” for the locations of future development wells.

He added that “the presence of a thick extensive oil shale gives us new options to study the basin’s substantial unconventional oil potential”.

That could see Tullow start fracking in Kenya.

Fracking — or hydraulic fracturing — is the onshore extraction of oil or gas where water, sand and chemicals are pumped into rock at high pressures.

The technique has drawn criticism over potentially negative effects on water and air quality.