Gulf Energy has announced that the first batch of oil from Turkana fields will be produced in December 2026, following the completion of its buyout from Tullow Oil. Drilling is set to begin in January 2026, pending parliamentary approval of the Field Development Plan. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi highlighted the project's potential to boost Kenya's economy and create jobs.
Gulf Energy, which took over oil production responsibilities in Kenya after the departure of British firm Tullow Oil, revealed plans for the initial oil output from the Turkana fields. A top official informed Bloomberg that production of the first batch is anticipated in December 2026. The company completed its acquisition of Tullow Oil’s crude discoveries for $120 million (Ksh15.4 billion), paving the way for operations to start next year.
The Field Development Plan (FDP), which outlines the development and management of the oil field from discovery to production and decommissioning, has been approved by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. However, official production will commence only after Parliament ratifies the FDP. On November 7, CS Wandayi announced that drilling at the Lokichar Oil Fields in Turkana would begin in January and February 2026, marking a key milestone in Kenya's oil ambitions.
"This would mark a significant milestone in the country’s oil production dream," CS Wandayi stated, expressing optimism about economic benefits and job creation for locals. The FDP submission to Parliament is expected within 30 days of its approval. This follows the government's June declaration to transition from exploration to full-scale development in the Lokichar Basin, which holds substantial reserves.
Initial estimates from Tullow Oil indicate about 560 million barrels of recoverable oil in the South Lokichar Basin, with oil initially in place potentially reaching 4 billion barrels, though only a portion is economically viable. Exploration intensified after Tullow's 2012 discovery at the Ngamia-1 well, uncovering additional fields like Amosing, Twiga, and Etuko.