A Total SA unit has acquired from three sellers a combined 40% interest in five exploratory blocks in the Lamu basin off Kenya.
Subject to the approval of Kenyan authorities, Total will acquire a 20% stake in the L5, L7, L11a, L11b, and L12 blocks from Anadarko Kenya Co., which will continue to operate the blocks.
Total will also acquire the 15% interest in the same blocks held by Dynamic Global Advisors and a 5% interest from Cove Energy PLC, which will retain 10% interest in the permits.
A 3,500 sq km 3D seismic survey is under way on the permits, which cover more than 30,500 sq km in 100-3,000 m of water. If results are satisfactory, one or more exploratory wells will be drilled, Total said. The company noted that discoveries off Mozambique and Tanzania bode well for the potential of the Kenyan blocks.
