In 2012, Kenya has discovered oil deposits that have placed it among the global oil exporters. Huge expectations from this discovery among all the stakeholders have ignited unmatched interest both locally and internationally. The expected socio-economic changes for the nation, however, need to be surgically addressed and assessed. This paper, therefore, aims to explore and assess the drilling division of the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry in Kenya. It analyses the history, exploration, development, and future potential of drilling in the oil and gas industry. To achieve this objective, the article begins by explaining the historical review of oil and gas operations in Kenya, the legal ecosystem of drilling operations, and the drilling operations. Additionally, definitions, types of drilling fluids, and drilling additives are discussed. Finally, the article evaluates the challenges facing oil and gas drilling operations in Kenya and outlines the necessary recommendations for its potential development.
Published in | International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 3) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11 |
Page(s) | 68-81 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Additives, Drilling, Lokichar, Ngamia, Petroleum Act 2019, Rift Valley Tertiary Basin, Waxy Crude Oil
[1] | World Energy Council, 2016. |
[2] | IEA, 2016. |
[3] | Peter Purcell, “Oil and Gas Exploration in East Africa: A Brief History, September 2014. P& R Geological Consultants Pty Ltd. |
[4] | John Yabs, “Potential Economic Effect of Oil and Gas in East African Countries. ISSN 2224-574X, Vol. 28, 2015. |
[5] | Eduard Gismatullin, “Tullow to Start Pumping Oil in Kenya After Resource Increase,” 31st July, 2013. |
[6] | Justus Omollo, “Oil and Gas Sector in Kenya: The Legal Status on Exploration and Extraction, 2013. |
[7] | Lars Buur, Ole Therkildsen, Micheal W. Hansen, Mette Kjaer, “Extractive Natural Resource Development: Governance, Linkages and Aid, DISS Report 2013: 28. |
[8] | Alisa Di Caprio, Kevin P. Gallagher, “The WTO and the Shrinking of Development Space,” January 2006, The Journal of World Investment & Trade 7 (5): 781-803. DOI: 10.1163/221190006X00397. |
[9] | Chilenye Nwapi, “A Survey of Literature on Local Content Policies in The Oil and Gas Industry in East Africa,” April 2016, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301542.261 |
[10] | Mulati, Julius Wachiya, “The Effect of Local Content Policies on Sustainable Local Development by Upstream Oil and Gas and Companies in Kenya,” 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/6601 |
[11] | John O. Kakonge, “Kenya’s Turkana Oil and Gas Field Shows the Challenges of Implementing Local Content Policies,” 25th May, 2020, LSE. |
[12] | James Okal Mobutu, Joyce Nzulwa, “Effect of Local Content and Security Issues on The Operational Efficiency of Oil and Gas Organizations in Kenya,” International Journal of Strategic Management, ISSN 2519-0296, Vol, No. 1 pp 1-19, 2021. |
[13] | Kenya Extractives Policy Dialogues, Paper No. 2 (2018). |
[14] | Saud Al-Fattah, “The Role of National and International Oil Companies in The Petroleum Industry,” USAEE Working Paper No. 13-137. 28th July 2013. |
[15] | A. T. Bourgoyne Jr, K. K Millheim, M. E. Chenevert and F. S. Young Jr, “Applied Drilling Engineering, 1991, Vol. 2 ISBN: 978-1-55563-001-0. |
[16] | R. Caenn, H. C. H. Darley, G. R Gray, “Composition and Properties of Drilling and Completion Fluids,” January 2011, DOI: 10.1016/C2009-0-64504-9. |
[17] | M. Enamul Hossain, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Majed, “Fundamental of Sustainable Drilling Engineering, ISBN: 978-04-708-781-70. 2015 Scrivener Publishing LLC. ©All rights reserved. |
[18] | Abdelmjeed Mohamed, Salem Basfar, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Badr S. Bageri, “Impact of Perlite on the Properties and Stability of Water-Based Mud in Elevated Temperature Applications,” December 2020, ACS Omega 5 (50), DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04853. |
[19] | Johannes Fink, “Petroleum Engineer’s Guide to Oil Field Chemicals and Fluids,” 1st Edition – May 13, 2011. ISBN: 9780123838452. |
[20] | Ljones, T. (2013) Drilling mud property estimator. M.Sc dissertation. Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Available at: http://www.diva/portal.org/smash/get/diva2:649714/FULLTEXT01.pdf (Accessed: 20 December 2014). |
[21] | Evans Kiprotich Bett, “Geothermal Well Cementing, Materials and Placement Techniques.” United Nations University, Geothermal Training Programme, Orkustofnun, Grensasvegar 9, IS-108 Reykajvik, Iceland, Reports 2010, Number 10. |
[22] | Miyora Thomas Ong’au, “Sensitivity Analysis of Geothermal Drilling Parameters – A Case Study OF Well Mw-17 in Menengai Kenya,” Proceedings, 7th African Rift Geothermal Conference, Kigali, Rwanda 31st October – 2nd November 2018. |
[23] | Zijun Feng, Zhao Yangsheng, Anchao Zhou, Ning Zhang, “Development of hot dry rock geothermal resource in the Yangbajing Basin China,” March 2012, Renewable Energy 39 (1): 490 – 495. DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.09.005. |
[24] | John Finger, Doug Blankenship, “Handbook of Best Practices for Geothermal Drilling,” May 2011. |
[25] | Andrew S Ball, Richard J. Stewart, Kirsten Schliephake, “A review of the current options for the treatment and safe disposal of drill cuttings.” Waste Management & Research 30 (5) 457–473, © The Author(s) 2012 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journals Permissions. Any DOI: 10.1177/0734242X11419892 wmr.sagepub.co. |
[26] | Richard Haut, David Burnett, Thomas E. Willians, Gene L. Theodori, “Balancing Environmental Tradeoff Associated With Low-Impact Drilling Systems To Produce Unconventional Natural Gas Resources. October 2010, DOI: 10:2118/137430-MS. |
[27] | Onwukwe Stanley Ibuchukwu, M. S Nwakaudu, “Drilling Wastes Generation and Management Approach,” International Journal of Environmental Science and Development 3 (3): 252-257. DOI: 10.7763/IJESD. 2012.V3.226. |
[28] | Ahammad Sharif MD, Nagalakshmu NVR, Srigowri Reddy S, Vasanth G, Uma Sankar K, “Drilling Waste Management and Control the Effects,” Journal of Advanced Chemical Engineering, 2017, 7: 1. DOI: 10.4172/2090-4568.1000166. |
[29] | Afshin Davarpanah, Ali Razmjoo & Behnam Mirshekari | (2018) An overview of management, recycling, and wasting disposal in the drilling operation of oil and gas wells in Iran, Cogent Environmental Science, 4: 1, 1537066, DOI: 10.1080/23311843.2018.1537066. |
[30] | Broni-Bediako, E. and Amorin, R. (2010). Effects of Drilling Fluid Exposure to Oil and Gas Workers Presented with Major Areas of Exposure and Exposure Indicators. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology. 710 - 719. |
[31] | Anon. 2010a. Kosmos Energy to Pay a Fine for Spillage. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/ news/general-news/2854-kosmos-energy-to-paya-fine-for-spillage. Accessed: July 20, 2010. |
[32] | Obialo Solomon Onwuka, Ogbonnaya Igwe, Stnaley Ikenna Ifediogwu, Chinenyem Stella Uwom, “An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Drilling Waste Treatment Process in X-Gas Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria,” Geology, Ecology and Landscape, Volume 2, 2018-Issue 4, https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2018.1473751. |
[33] | Emmanuel Imarhiagbe, Nosa Omoregbe Obayagbona, “Environmental Evaluation and Biodegradability of Drilling Waste: A Case Study of Drill Cuttings from Ologbo Oilfield Wells at Edo State, Nigeria” November 2019, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.88612. |
[34] | Bignert A, Cossa D, Emmerson R, Fryer R, Füll C, Fumega J, et al. OSPAR/ICES workshop on the evaluation and update of background reference concentrations (B/RCs) and ecotoxicological assessment criteria (EACs) and how these assessment tools should be used in assessing contaminants in water, sediment, and biota. 2004. |
[35] | Dirce Pozebon, Eder Lima, Sandra Maria Maia, Jandyra M. G Fachel, “Heavy Metals Contribution of Non-Aqueous Fluids Used in Offshore Oil Drilling,” January 2005, Fuel 84 (1): 53-61, DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2004.08.002. |
[36] | Mohamed Khodja, Malika Khodja-Saber, Jean Paul Canselier, Nathalie Cohaut, Fa Bergaya, “Drilling Fluid Technology: Performance and Environmental Considerations, November 2010, DOI: 10.5772/10393. |
[37] | Simiyu E. Lilian; Mburu Esther; Rukunga Allan, (2016) “Drill Cuttings and Fluid Disposal; A Kenyan Case Study.” SPE/AAPG Africa Energy and Technology Conference, Nairobi City, Kenya. Paper Number: SPE-AFRC-2580389-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/AFRC-2580389-MS. |
[38] | Philippe Coussot, F. Bertrand, Benjamin Herzhaft, “Rheological Behavior of Drilling Muds, Characterization Using MRI Visualization,” January 2004, Oil and Gas Science and Technology – Revue de/IFP 59 (1): 23-29. DOI: 10:2516/ogst:2004003. |
[39] | Drilling Fluids and Health Risk Management, Report Number 396, IPIECA/OGP, 2009. |
[40] | Kamol CO, Akunga DN, Warutere P (2019) Occurrence of Occupational Physical Injuries among Workers in Onshore Oil Drilling Occupation in Turkana County, Kenya. Health Sci J Vol. 13. No. 1: 619. |
[41] | Nwaoboli Awele, “Investigation of Additives on Drilling Mud Performance with Tonder Geothermal Drilling as A Case Study,” Aalborg University Esbjerg, January 6th 2014. |
[42] | M. Zamora, S. Roy, “The Top 10 Reasons to Rethink Hydraulic and Rheology,” DOI: 10.2118/62731-MS. Corpus ID: 109407883. |
[43] | Sharath Savari, Sandeep Kulkarni, Jason Maxey, Kushabhau Teke, “A Comprehensive Approach to Barite Sag Analysis on Field Muds, Haliburton, AADE-13-FTCE-30, 2013. |
[44] | Isaac Gamwo, Mohd A. Kabir, “Impact of Drilling Fluid Rheology and Wellbore Pressure on Rock Cuttings Removal Performance: Numerical Investigation,” Asia-PACIFIC Journal of Chemical Engineering 10 (6): n/a-n/a. DOI: 10.1002/apj.1917. |
[45] | T. P. D Silva, M. Naccache, “Enhanced Fluid Rheology Characterization for Managed Pressure Drilling Applications,” 12th April, 2016, Geology. DOI: 10.2118/180070-MS. Corpus ID: 138409529. |
[46] | Ehsan Pakdaman, Shariar Osfouri, Reza Azin, Khodabakhsh Niknam, Abbas Roohi, “Improving the Rheology, Lubricity, and Differential Sticking Properties of Water-Based Drilling Muds at High Temperatures Using Hydrophilic Gilsonite Nanoparticles,” Colloids and Surfaces, September 2019, DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123930. |
[47] | Soham Pandya, Ramadan M. Ahmed, Subhash N. Shah, “Wellbore Cleanout in Inclined and Horizontal Wellbores: The Effects of Flow Rate, Fluid Rheology and Solids Density,” September 2019, SPE Drilling and Completion 35 (01), DOI: 10.2118/194240-PA. |
[48] | Salem Basfar, Jaber Al. Jaber, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Badr S. Bageri, “Prevention of Hematitie Settling Using Perlite in Water-Based Drilling Fluid,” Jpunra; Petrolume Science and Engineering, Vol. 210, March 2022, 110030. |
[49] | Aleksandra Jamrozik, Jan Ziaja, Andrzej Gonet, Jerzy Fijal, “Selected Aspects of Drilling Waste Management in Poland,” AGH Drilling Oil Gas 32 (3): 565, January 2015, DOI: 10.7494/drill.2015.32.3.565. |
[50] | Kamau, “Civil Society Pushes for Amendments to Petroleum Bill to Open Up Contracts.” 33 Oxfam, Contract Disclosure Survey 2018 (Oxford: Oxfam, 2018), https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/contract-disclosure-survey-2018. |
[51] | Christa N. Brunnschweiler, Erwin H. Bulte, “Natural Resources and Violent Conflict: Resource Abundance, Dependence and the Onset of Civil Wars,” Oxford Economic Papers, New Series, Vol. 61, No. 4 (October 2009), pp. 651-674. |
[52] | Jason Switzer, Natural Resources: The Case of the Minerals Sector,” Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development, July 2001, No. 12. © 2002 IIED and WBCSD. |
[53] | Xavier Sala-i-Martin, Arvind Subramaian, “Addressing The Natural Resource Curse: An Illustration from Nigeria,” ©July, 2003, International Monetary Fund, IMF Working Paper, WP/03/139. |
[54] | Raymond F. Mikesell, “Explaining the Resource Curse, With Special Reference to Mineral-Exporting Countries,” Resources Policy, 1997, Vol. 23, Issue 4, 191-199. |
[55] | Jeffrey David Sachs, Andrew M. Warner, “The Curse of Natural Resources, European Economic Review 45 (4-6): 827-838. DOI: 10.1016/S0014-2921 (01) 00125-8. |
[56] | Ragnar Torvik, “Learning by Doing and the Dutch Disease,” European Economic Review 45 (2): 285-306. DOI: 10.1016/S0014-2921(99)00071-9. |
[57] | Thorvaldur Gylfason, “Natural Resources and Economic Growth: What is the Connection?” Fostering Sustainable Growth in Ukraine. January 2002. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-57464-1 5. |
[58] | Kyra Bos, Joyeeta Gupta, “Inclusive Development, Oil Extraction and Climate Change: a Multilevel Analysis of Kenya,” International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 2016, Vol. 23 No. 6 482-492. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2016.1162217 |
[59] | Kennedy Mkutu Agade, “Ungoverned Space and the Oil Find in Turkana, Kenya” The Round Table 103 (5), September 2014, DOI: 10.1080/00358533.2014.966497. |
[60] | Luke Patey, “Kenya –An African Oil Upstart in Transition” ©Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, 2014. |
[61] | Eliza M. Johannes, Leo C. Zulu & Ezekiel Kalipeni (2014): Oil discovery in Turkana County, Kenya: a source of conflict or development? African Geographical Review, DOI: 0.1080/19376812.2014.884466. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19376812.2014.884466. |
[62] | Mogaka Mokobi Dismas, “Oil and Gas – Society Relations and The Role of International Actors: A Case Study of the Kenyan State and The Northern Part of Kenya”. UON – Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, May, 2017. |
[63] | Janpeter Schilling, Raphael Locham, and Jürgen Scheffran, (2018), “A local to global perspective on oil and wind exploitation, resource governance and conflict in Northern Kenya. Conflict, Security & Development 2018, VOL. 18, NO. 6, 571–600 https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2018.1532642. |
[64] | Melba K. Wasunna, Extractives Baraza, Strathmore University October 9, 2018. |
[65] | Muchiri Naomi, “Oil Exploration and Security Dynamic in Kenya – A study of lokichar Oil Exploration Site, Turkana County,” 2020. UON, Sch. Of Law. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/154287. |
[66] | Cosmas Ekwom Kamais, Samson Wokabi Mwangi, Eric Kiprono Bor, “Emerging Security Management Issues Due To Oil Exploration Activities in South Lokichar Basin, Turkana County, Kenya,” The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, Vol. 7, Issue 6, June 2019. DOI: 10.24940/theijhss/2019/v7/i6/HS1906-058. |
[67] | Nicole Kathini Nyamai, “Evaluation of Law and Practice on Environmental Protection During Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas in Kenya,” UON, Sch. Of Law. |
[68] | Sheila Nandako, “Transparency in the Management of Oil and Gas Blocks: A Review of Kenya Legislative Framework” Strathmore Law School (SLS), 2020. https://suplus.strathmore.edu/handle/11071/10214. |
[69] | Ahmed, S., Patel, H., Salehi, S., Ahmed, R., and Teodoriu, C.: Numerical and Experimental Evaluation of Liner Dual Barrier System in Geothermal Wells, Proceedings, 45th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (2020a). |
[70] | Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, “Kenya: An African oil upstart in transition”, October 2014. Copyright © 2014 Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (Registered Charity, No. 286084). ISBN 978-1-78467-011-5. |
[71] | Sichei Chepkech Chemwotei, “Geothermal Drilling Fluids” Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd. – KenGen P. O. Box 785-20117 Naivasha Kenya. Geothermal Training Programme Reports 2011 Orkustofnun, Grensásvegur 9, Number 10 IS-108 Reykjavík, Iceland 149. sicheichem@gmail.com, schemwotei@kengen.co.ke. |
[72] | Tordo et al (2013), supra note 19 at pp. 24–25. |
[73] | Vivas, C., Salehi, S., Tuttle, J. D., and Rickard, B.: Challenges and Opportunities of Geothermal Drilling for Renewable Energy Generation. GRC Transactions, 44, (2020) 904-918. |
APA Style
Antony Fundia Simbiri, Ogbonna Friday Joel, Emmanuel Emeka Okoro, Daniel Okang’a Oyoo. (2022). An Outlook of Oil and Gas Drilling Operations in Kenya – Trends and Challenges. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 10(3), 68-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11
ACS Style
Antony Fundia Simbiri; Ogbonna Friday Joel; Emmanuel Emeka Okoro; Daniel Okang’a Oyoo. An Outlook of Oil and Gas Drilling Operations in Kenya – Trends and Challenges. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022, 10(3), 68-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11
@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11, author = {Antony Fundia Simbiri and Ogbonna Friday Joel and Emmanuel Emeka Okoro and Daniel Okang’a Oyoo}, title = {An Outlook of Oil and Gas Drilling Operations in Kenya – Trends and Challenges}, journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering}, volume = {10}, number = {3}, pages = {68-81}, doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20221003.11}, abstract = {In 2012, Kenya has discovered oil deposits that have placed it among the global oil exporters. Huge expectations from this discovery among all the stakeholders have ignited unmatched interest both locally and internationally. The expected socio-economic changes for the nation, however, need to be surgically addressed and assessed. This paper, therefore, aims to explore and assess the drilling division of the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry in Kenya. It analyses the history, exploration, development, and future potential of drilling in the oil and gas industry. To achieve this objective, the article begins by explaining the historical review of oil and gas operations in Kenya, the legal ecosystem of drilling operations, and the drilling operations. Additionally, definitions, types of drilling fluids, and drilling additives are discussed. Finally, the article evaluates the challenges facing oil and gas drilling operations in Kenya and outlines the necessary recommendations for its potential development.}, year = {2022} }
TY - JOUR T1 - An Outlook of Oil and Gas Drilling Operations in Kenya – Trends and Challenges AU - Antony Fundia Simbiri AU - Ogbonna Friday Joel AU - Emmanuel Emeka Okoro AU - Daniel Okang’a Oyoo Y1 - 2022/05/31 PY - 2022 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11 DO - 10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11 T2 - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering JF - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering JO - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering SP - 68 EP - 81 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2376-7677 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221003.11 AB - In 2012, Kenya has discovered oil deposits that have placed it among the global oil exporters. Huge expectations from this discovery among all the stakeholders have ignited unmatched interest both locally and internationally. The expected socio-economic changes for the nation, however, need to be surgically addressed and assessed. This paper, therefore, aims to explore and assess the drilling division of the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry in Kenya. It analyses the history, exploration, development, and future potential of drilling in the oil and gas industry. To achieve this objective, the article begins by explaining the historical review of oil and gas operations in Kenya, the legal ecosystem of drilling operations, and the drilling operations. Additionally, definitions, types of drilling fluids, and drilling additives are discussed. Finally, the article evaluates the challenges facing oil and gas drilling operations in Kenya and outlines the necessary recommendations for its potential development. VL - 10 IS - 3 ER -