Oil work under way in Kenya

Operations at a prospect in Kenyan territory are under way and similar plans are expected for neighboring Ethiopia, an oil company announced. Africa Oil Corp., which has a stake in the Twiga South-1 exploration well, announced its partner Tullow Oil spudded that well and aims to drill to a depth of 10,217 feet. Africa Oil said the well targets the same reservoirs as the recent Ngamia-1 oil discovery about 14 miles south of the prospect. Tullow announced in March its Ngamia-1 prospect in Nigeria encountered more than 65 feet of net oil pay. Once deepened by roughly 1,650 feet, however, the company said the total pay for the prospect is greater than 325 feet across multiple reservoir zones. Ngamia was the first prospect tested by Tullow during its extensive drilling campaign planned for Kenya and Ethiopia. Negotiations are underway by Tullow for a drilling campaign onshore Ethiopia by the end of the year, Africa Oil said. Marathon Oil Corp. announced in July it acquired a stake in two exploration blocks in northwestern Kenya from Africa Oil in a deal worth an initial $35 million.