Qatar Petroleum Authority. PHOTO | FILE

Qatar government through its Qatar petroleum parastatal have agreed with the Kenyan government through the ministry of Mining to sell 3 major oil ocean-based blocks. Qatar government through its Qatar petroleum parastatal have agreed with the Kenyan government through the ministry of Mining to sell 3 major oil ocean-based blocks.





The of the ocean blocks will cater to the interests accrued on the Chinese loan as stated by the Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes.













The Italian company, Eni has a 41.3 percent participating interest. Total will keep a 33.8 percent interest.





The three offshore blocks are situated in what is considered to be a frontier and largely unexplored area in the Lamu Basin.





The oil blocs that have been sold to the Qatari government are said to be approximately 15,000 square feet with water depths ranging from about 1,000 meters to 3,000 meters The first exploration well is scheduled for drilling by the State-owned company in the first half of 2020.





The government however are set to consider an American based firm to take over two main blocks on the south of Qatar blocks. The south blocks are situated at Kilifi county marine line frontier running from Malindi to Shanzu. It's located just about 20Km from the Mainland.





The Qatar' is to take over 25 per percent the stakes at offshore L11A, L11B and L12 blocks, which are not part of the dispute. Total made an entry in Lamu Basin in 2011 when it acquired 40 percent interest in five exploratory blocks- L5, L7, Lila, LI lb and LI 2 from Anadarko Kenya Co, Dynamic Global Advisors, and Cove Energy PLC.