Kenya will approve the acquisition of offshore oil and gas exploration blocks by Qatar Petroleum, according to media reports. Qatar Petroleum is a state-owned public corporation operating all oil and gas activities in Qatar.
Last month, Qatar Petroleum said that it signed a contract with Total and its Italian partner Eni for the acquisition of three exploratory blocks in the Lamu basin off Kenya.
Petroleum Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau told a media report that the permits were issued. Qatar Petroleum owned 25 percent in the three blocks in the acquired in the Lamu offshore basin under the regulatory approval of Kenyan authorities.
The three offshore blocks L11A, L11B and L12 are situated in an area that is largely unexplored in the Lamubecken in Kenya. The blocks have approximately a total area of 15,000 square kilometres with water depths up to 3000 metres.
Eni also owns blocks L21, L23 and L24. Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said, “We are pleased to sign this agreement to participate in the exploration of these offshore coastal areas in Kenya and further strengthen our presence in Africa.” He was also the president and CEO of Qatar Petroleum.
Last month, Qatar Petroleum announced that it will acquire a stake in Total’s two oil and gas blocks offshore Guyana. The company said it will hold 40 percent of Total’s existing 25 percent interest in the Orinduik and neighboring Kanuku blocks.