Kenya set date to export crude oil
By Agency
MOMBASA – Plans are on course for Kenya’s first ever export of crude oil from the Lokichar Basin in Turkana on December 1, Senators have said.
Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi on Friday said the country is set for its first commercial exportation of crude oil.
“Beginning December this year, we should be seeing crude oil moving from South Lokichar to the port of Mombasa for export, for purposes of refining. That is a big milestone,” Wandayi said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting between the ministry and the Senate energy committee in Mombasa, the CS noted that the Field Development Plan has already been approved by the ministry and, crucially, by Parliament.
The Senate energy committee expressed confidence Kenya will make history as the first East Africa country to export commercial crude oil.
The committee chair William Kisang said the Field Development Plan on South Lokichar was approved by Parliament in early February, setting the stage for the commercialization of the oil found in Turkana about 14 years ago.
A Field Development Plan (FDP) is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary roadmap used in the oil and gas industry to convert newly discovered hydrocarbon resources into commercially viable, operating production project.
Currently, no East African country exports commercial crude oil, though the region is on the verge of starting commercial exports.
Kenya is closest to the fete, having sent a small, one-off pilot shipment of over 200,000 barrels from the Mombasa port to Malaysia in August 2019 under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme.
ChemChina UK Ltd bought the oil at about Sh1.2 billion (USD12 million) from the South Lokichar basin in Turkana county, where Tullow Oil Kenya discovered the oil in 2012.
According to Tullow, Kenya’s onshore fields in Turkana hold an estimated 560 million barrels of oil.
Uganda is preparing to become a regular crude oil exporter in mid-2027 using the nearly completed East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will transport oil from its Lake Albert fields, including Tilenga and Kingfisher, to Tanzania’s port of Tanga.
Tanzania will facilitate regional exports through the EACOP terminal in Tanga, starting commercial flows expected around mid-2027.
“We are happy to report that, already, the rig has been delivered in South Lokichar. We are on course to export the first crude oil on December 1, this year,” Kisang said.
Wandayi said other oil blocks are also available for exploitation.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra), Kenya has 50 petroleum exploration blocks spread across four sedimentary basins, and 13 oil discoveries have been made to date.
Those discovered include Blocks 10BB and 13T in the South Lokichar Basin in Turkana county.
Lamu basin has 29 blocks, Tertiary Rift basin has 12, Anza basin as six, while Mandera basin has three.
At the South Lokichar sub-basin, the initial production is projected to start at 20,000 barrels per day before scaling up to 50,000 barrels per day.
“Kenya has essentially joined the league of countries that are oil producing and that’s a very big achievement, under the leadership of President Ruto.
“That was not possible (before). Remember this oil was first discovered in 2012, more than 14 years ago. It is under this administration that now commercial production is beginning in earnest under a new contractor, that is Gulf Energy,” the CS said.
On fuel, Wandayi said the country takes pride in the fact that it has not suffered any shortage despite the crisis in the Middle East, which has affected fuel supply across the globe.
He said Kenya has been able to assure her citizens of stable supply because of the G-to-G fuel importation framework the country adopted with partners.
“There is no single day I can remember that this country has lacked fuel from February when this war broke out in Iran.
“That is because our international oil company suppliers are able to source petroleum products from multiple sources and multiple refineries across the world,” the CS said.
He however noted that the cost sometimes becomes higher because of the distances to be covered in bringing it home.
Wandayi said it is better to have the oil first then talk about the cost after.
“Many countries in the world, including some in this region, have had serious shortages of petroleum products. Kenya has been spare of that inconvenience,” he said.
He said the government will continue to put measures in place to cushion the public and consumers from the global shocks.
The government has applied fuel subsidies for months now, from the petroleum development levy, which has seen fuel prices relatively stabilize.
Other measures include cutting down VAT on petroleum products by half, from 16 per cent to eight per cent, which has seen the government lose revenue.
“And this month, the National Assembly has graciously accepted to extend the operating period of that tax relief by another 90 days from October 15,” he said.
He said the launch of the Dangote oil refinery in Lamu is a vote of confidence in the country and its stability the country has.
He said investors are always attracted by certain factors in a country.
Meanwhile, Kenya has invited the public to propose a trading name for crude oil produced in Turkana County, opening a national naming exercise ahead of the planned commencement of commercial production on 1 December 2026.
The State Department for Petroleum issued the invitation on Friday, 23 October, seeking a distinctive commercial identity under which Kenyan crude will be recognised by international refiners, commodity traders and buyers.
The exercise marks another step towards commercialising petroleum resources discovered in the South Lokichar Basin in 2012, following years of delays involving financing, field development and infrastructure requirements.
Unlike a company or project name, a crude oil trading name identifies a particular petroleum grade in commercial transactions, helping buyers distinguish its origin, physical characteristics and established market identity.
International examples include Brent, associated with North Sea crude, Murban from the United Arab Emirates, Bonny Light from Nigeria and Pearl Sweet from Uganda. These names have become recognisable identifiers in petroleum trading.
Kenya’s proposed name could appear in commercial documentation and international price reporting as the crude establishes its presence in global markets. However, assigning a trading name is not itself a legal requirement for exporting petroleum.
The government wants a name that reflects Kenya’s national identity, is easy to pronounce and remember internationally, and avoids associations with particular communities, counties, companies, political movements or religions.
The chosen identity must also be suitable for trademark registration in Kenya and internationally, making originality and potential conflicts with existing commercial names important considerations.
Although the crude originates in Turkana, the government has indicated that the name should represent Kenya as a whole, recognising the resource as part of the country’s national petroleum industry.
Against these requirements, Mjengo Hub proposes seven possible names for consideration, drawing on Kenya’s history, national identity, geography and the need for a commercially recognisable petroleum grade.
Mjengo Hub’s seven proposed names
Harambee Discovery: Harambee reflects Kenya’s tradition of collective effort, while Discovery recognises the historic identification of commercially viable oil resources in Turkana in 2012. Together, the words connect the petroleum industry to a defining national ideal and a major development in Kenya’s resource exploration history.
Turkana Gold: A name that recognises the geographical origin of Kenya’s crude while conveying its potential economic value. Its simplicity makes it memorable, although the government would need to consider its emphasis on one county and possible confusion with mineral gold.
Taifa Crude: Derived from the Kiswahili word for nation, Taifa gives the petroleum grade a distinctly Kenyan identity without tying it to one geographical region. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation could make it suitable for international commercial use.
Pamoja Crude: Pamoja means together in Kiswahili, reflecting national unity and the idea that petroleum development should benefit the wider country. The name offers a familiar Kenyan expression that could also be distinctive in international trading.
Kenya Horizon: Combining the country’s name with a reference to future possibilities, Kenya Horizon reflects the development of a new petroleum export industry. It provides immediate geographical recognition while avoiding claims about the crude’s physical characteristics.Kenya Origin: A direct commercial identity emphasising where the crude comes from. The name would be easy for international buyers to understand and would remain applicable regardless of changes in production volumes or the development of additional oilfields.
Imara Crude: Imara means strong or firm in Kiswahili. Its short form and distinctive sound offer branding potential, although the name would require linguistic and trademark checks to establish its suitability for international petroleum trading.
These are Mjengo Hub’s editorial suggestions rather than names officially shortlisted by the government. Their inclusion does not establish trademark availability, and each would require legal and commercial screening before adoption.
Harambee Discovery offers a particularly strong connection to Kenya’s national identity and the history of petroleum exploration. Turkana Gold, meanwhile, directly acknowledges the region where the country’s commercial oil industry began.
However, the government’s criteria could present challenges for both proposals. Harambee’s national symbolism would need to be assessed against restrictions on political associations, while Turkana Gold could face objections because it identifies a particular county.
The naming exercise comes as Gulf Energy prepares to develop the South Lokichar oilfields under a phased production programme targeting approximately 20,000 barrels per day during its initial stage.
The company is targeting the start of drilling in November, with the government setting 1 December 2026 as its first commercial oil production date. Initial transportation is expected to involve trucks carrying crude to Mombasa for export.
Kenyan crude has been described as light and low in sulphur, characteristics that can influence refinery demand. However, its high wax content presents transportation challenges because suitable temperatures must be maintained during handling and movement.
These physical characteristics, alongside production and logistics costs, will influence the prices international buyers are prepared to offer. A recognisable trading name can support marketing, but cannot independently determine the crude’s commercial value.
Kenya previously exported trial cargoes between 2019 and 2020 to assess international demand, providing early experience in marketing the resource before the planned transition to sustained commercial production.
The naming exercise therefore comes at a consequential stage for the petroleum industry, although the start of commercial production remains dependent on the successful implementation of the field development programme.
Kenyans wishing to participate must submit their proposed name, its meaning and an explanation of its suitability, together with the required personal or organisational contact information.
Proposals can be submitted through the State Department for Petroleum’s website at www.petroleum.go.ke, by email to crudeoilbranding@petroleum.go.ke, or physically at Kasneb Towers Two, 11th floor, Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The submission deadline is Thursday, 29 October 2026, at 5pm. The eventual selection will give Kenya’s crude oil a commercial identity intended to remain recognisable as the country develops its petroleum export industry.
