(Ecofin Agency) - The Kenyan Government and Joint Venture partners made up of three oil companies, have agreed on the rules of engagement in the exploitation of oil resources in Turkana County.

A statement from the State House confirmed that the partners; Tullow Oil, Maersk and Africa Oil reached an agreement to venture into the country’s oil sector.

The agreement was reached after a meeting led by President Uhuru Kenyatta with officials of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum as well as the partners.

Their discussion was based on the progress of the Early Pilot Scheme which will be exploiting existing wells in Lokichar, Turkana to produce 2,000 bopd.

“The partners confirmed that their companies have approved the Final Investment Decision for the Early Oil Pilot Scheme,” Manoah Esipisu (photo), State House Spokesperson said.

Oil from the wells which is to be transported to Mombasa by road is a significant move towards Full Field Development of the oil finds in Blocks 10BB and 13T in Turkana.

“The Government and the Turkana County Government will continue working closely with the joint venture partners in commencing the export of early oil by June 2017. We anticipate that the Government will sign agreements relating to the production of petroleum in due course,” he said.

According to Esipisu, the agreement will include the Joint Partnership Agreement that covers the works associated with the transportation of the crude oil to Lamu by pipeline and also include the Early Oil Partnership Agreement which concerns the modalities of early production.

“The President looks forward to visiting Lokichar soon to inspect progress necessary for First Oil export, including a road,” Espisu told Standard Media.

Anita Fatunji