Friday, February 13, 2015

Hurdles to Oil Extraction in Kenya

The Washington-based Institute for Defense Analyses (IDS) Africa Watch published on 12 February 2015 a piece titled "Oil Extraction in Kenya--Political and Geological Hurdles" by Eliza Johannes, a staff member at IDS.

British-based Tullow Oil is responsible for oil exploration and development in Turkana County of Kenya, a region which has been the location of ethnic conflict between the Turkana and Pokot peoples.  The prospect of 600 million barrels of oil in the region has increased the level of violence.  Tullow Oil also estimates that every barrel of processed crude oil will require 50 gallons of water.  This part of Kenya is well known for water shortages.  Disputes over scarce water will further increase tension.