Oil firm Tullow oil has announced that it may have to stop production from its north Kenyan oilfields is agreement cannot be reached with those in the local community.
Protests have caused large scale disruption and has virtually stopped transportation of oil from the sea by truck.
The three week long protests are stopping the distribution of almost 2000 barrels a day, according to the Irish-founded oil firm.
The trucking system is a precursor to a planned pipeline due to be constructed by 2022.
Martin Mbogo, Tullow Kenya managing director, said: “It is vital that our return to work in Kenya has the backing and support of the government, Turkana leadership and the community. We are working hard on reaching an agreement that will make sure that our operations will not be interrupted in the future.
“Discussions are ongoing and we are optimistic that we will be able to start crude oil trucking again soon.”
Mr Mbogo added that essential supplies needed to run production “will run out in the next 14 days after which we will have no option other than a complete shutdown of the camp.”
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