A survey by Origin Energy has shown hydrocarbon seepage from the seabed in Blocks L-8 and L-9 offshore Kenya – with two prospects having the potential to hold 5 Bn bbl each.

The slicks in L-8 are the largest and highest ranked of all offshore Kenya, said partner Pancontinental Oil & Gas.

The slicks seen in Block L-8 coincide with several main prospects mapped from seismic, the largest being the Mbawa prospect, covering around 360sq km at the Jurassic level and about 140sq km at the shallower tertiary level.

In the Mbawa prospect at intermediate Tertiary and Cretaceous level, Origin estimates potential of more than 5 Bn bbl of oil in place or 7 Tcf (198 Bcm) of gas in place. The
Nanaa Central prospect has also been calculated to have similar potential, said Pancontinental.

The satellite survey supports the firm’s interpretation that a working petroleum system may be present in its Lamu Basin acreage. Drilling and more studies are needed to firm up the size and commercial value of any discovery, added Pancontinental.