A 1,500 horsepower drilling rig, the GW70, has docked at Kilindini Port in Mombasa, Kenya, ahead of its deployment to the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana County. The rig, leased by Gulf Energy E&P BV from Great Wall Drilling Company, arrived on Friday aboard MV Transit Sedanka after sailing from Duqm Port in Oman. This development marks a crucial step in Kenya's journey towards commercial oil production.
The drilling rig is expected to be transported to Turkana, where drilling is scheduled to begin on November 1. According to Gulf Energy Chief Executive Officer Paul Limoh, all workstreams at Gulf Energy E&P BV SEZ are running to a tight project management schedule, and the project remains on course for First Oil production in December 2026. This milestone is significant, as it brings Kenya closer to realizing its goal of commercial oil production.
The arrival of the drilling rig marks a major milestone in the commercial development of the South Lokichar Basin, more than a decade after oil was first discovered in Turkana in 2012. The project is expected to produce about 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day in the first phase, with output projected to rise to 50,000 barrels per day in the second phase. This development is expected to have a significant impact on Kenya's economy.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has confirmed that Kenya is targeting first oil in December 2026, while the first crude exports through the Port of Mombasa are expected in the first quarter of 2027. To ensure the smooth operation of the drilling process, Gulf Energy has contracted Baker Hughes for integrated well services and SLB to provide an early production facility for the first phase.
Before drilling begins, the GW70 will undergo commissioning and acceptance checks to ensure that it is in good working condition. This is a critical step in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the drilling process. The project has been years in the making, and the arrival of the drilling rig marks a significant step towards the realization of Kenya's goal of commercial oil production.
The development of the South Lokichar Basin is a major project that has been undertaken by Gulf Energy E&P BV. The company has worked closely with various partners to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. The project is expected to have a significant impact on Kenya's economy and is seen as a major milestone in the country's journey towards becoming an oil-producing nation.
The project is expected to bring significant benefits to Kenya, including increased revenue and job creation. The development of the oil industry is also expected to have a positive impact on the country's infrastructure and economy. With the drilling rig now in place, Kenya is one step closer to realizing its goal of commercial oil production.
Key points
- The drilling rig is expected to produce about 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day in the first phase.
- The project remains on course for First Oil production in December 2026.
- The first crude exports through the Port of Mombasa are expected in the first quarter of 2027.
