(Ecofin Agency) - Simba Energy has announced that it will begin 2D seismic in Kenya’s Block 2A in the next 7 to 12 days as all necessary preparations have been completed.

According to new CEO of Essel Group ME and Simba Energy, Punkaj Gupta, the seismic will be followed by the start of a drilling programme later this year.“Simba Energy is at an extremely exciting stage of its development, with preparations for the 2D seismic survey now complete on the Block 2A asset in Kenya, and the shooting of lines about to commence in the next 10-15 days, in preparation of the commencement of a drill programme later in 2016. I look forward to updating shareholders of our progress in due course,” he said.

Essel Group acquired equity in the block in August 2015. The company has agreed to a least exploration program for the block which includes extra 2D seismic, possible 3D seismic, and drilling on at least two prospects in the next 12 to 18 months, with an estimated cost of $60 million.This seismic exercise comprises of the acquisition and interpretation of about 500 line km of 2D seismic data that will also confirm the depths and support the volume estimates needed for a revised resource estimate. Block 2A covers an area of 7,801.72 km² overlying the southern tip of the Mandera Basin while the southwest corner of the block spreads into the Anza Basin.

Four wells have been drilled so far in the Mandera Basin and encountered oil show between 40 to 44meters in the Tarbaj well drilled by Total. More than a dozen wells have been drilled in the Anza basin and encountered oil shows and gas shows with one gas find at Sala-1 in Block 9 by Africa Oil, Oil News Kenya reports.

Anita Fatunji