Tullow Oil has been forced to suspend work on two key fields in Kenya after protests by locals over jobs.
Drilling at two sites, at Turkana East and Turkana South, have been suspended over security concerns after protests by locals demanding more jobs on the fields.
The company, which struck oil with partner Africa Oil on the two sites, said it took its relationship with the local community ‘extremely seriously’, and had stopped exploration and appraisal on the sites to prevent the situation deteriorating.
“Tullow confirms that there have been a number of demonstrations at Tullow operated sites in Northern Kenya today regarding local concerns around employment,” Tullow said in a statement.
“We have temporarily suspended our operations across Block 10BB and Block 13T in Turkana East and Turkana South sub-counties. The priority at the moment is to ensure the safety and security of our staff.”
Tullow said it employed more than 800 people from the region on the projects – more than half the staff in the country’s Kenyan operations.
The fields are estimated to contain upwards of 300million barrels of oil.