Middle East oilfield service firm AlMansoori has supported a ground-breaking project in Kenya after securing a $15 million contract with Tullow Oil.
AlMansoori supplied degassing facilities for three well pads and an early production facility (EPF) for oil and water separation, stabilisation, storage and export for Kenya’s early oil pilot scheme.
The wells are in the South Lokichar Basin, in Turkana County about 350 miles north-east of Nairobi, with the facilities designed and manufactured by AlMansoori in Abu Dhabi.
AlMansoori has recruited staff members from the local community and has established a program to train and develop these local young people to work in the facilities.
Furthermore, AlMansoori is using local fabricators and suppliers to outsource the required materials and consumables for these operations.
The EOPS is a momentous project because it establishes Kenya as the first East African nation to export oil.
Under the scheme, oil from the wells will be transported by road to refineries in Mombassa in advance of an 821 kms pipeline being constructed to allow full production by 2021/2022.
The recent launch of the scheme was attended by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who described it as “a great day for Kenya.”
AlMansoori chief executive Nabil Alalawi said: “We were honoured to be chosen to support what is a landmark project for Kenya’s emerging oil industry, and for the country as a whole.
“This important scheme has enabled us to demonstrate our capabilities in executing a full project scope, including engineering, procurement, construction and pre-commissioning as well as the operation and maintenance of the facilities. These have all been undertaken successfully despite challenges due to the conditions, location and human resources available.”
“Although we have worked in East Africa before, this is our first project in Kenya. Our success in supporting the EOPS represents a springboard for us to market our strong EPF capabilities elsewhere in other countries on the continent.”