Kenya is considering a new transport plan for Turkana crude as the country prepares for first oil production, with a railway option proposed for the second phase of the South Lokichar development.
According to the Energy & Petroleum Statistics Report for the Year Ended 30th June 2026, Phase Two will expand production in the Ngamia and Amosing fields and begin production in other selected South Lokichar fields, targeting a sustained output of 50,000 barrels per day.
The report states that the contractor will assess the feasibility of transporting the crude by rail during Phase Two.
“Phase 2 will extend production to the rest of the Ngamia and Amosing fields and start production in other selected fields of South Lokichar to reach and maintain a plateau of 50,000 bbl/d. The contractor will assess the feasibility of transportation by rail in Phase 2,” the report read.
Kenya’s Proposed Rail Route for Moving Turkana Crude Takes Shape
Under the proposal, the railway network would be extended to Lokichar by 2032 to facilitate crude oil transportation.
The plan estimates that 155-meter-gauge railway (MGR) or 99-meter-gauge railway (SGR) insulated crude oil wagons would be loaded and offloaded daily at Lokichar and Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) in Mombasa.
Each wagon would have a steaming capacity of 324 barrels for MGR or 554 barrels for SGR, according to the report.
Implementing the rail option would require the extension of the railway line, investment in sufficient rolling stock, rehabilitation of the railway line, and construction of an appropriate railway siding at KPRL.
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The report indicates that the Government or its railway agents would need to undertake these investments to enable the proposed rail transportation system.
“Apart from extension of the railway line, the Government or its railway agents will need to invest in sufficient rolling stock, railway line rehabilitation, and construct an appropriate railway siding at KPRL to enable the operation.”
Major Operation to Move Turkana Crude to Mombasa
Kenya is preparing for first oil production from Turkana, with production targeted to begin in December 2026, according to the Report.
“Following the approval and ratification of the Field Development Plan (FDP), the contractor, Gulf Energy B.V., is currently undertaking implementation activities, with First Oil anticipated in December 2026.”
The report states that contractor Gulf Energy B.V. is implementing the approved Field Development Plan, with first oil targeted for December 1, 2026.
Phase One will focus on the Ngamia and Amosing fields, with targeted production of 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Also Read: Gulf Energy Secures KSh1.95 Billion Oil Rig to Start Drilling First Oil in Turkana
Over the initial five-year phase, the development is expected to involve 48 wells, comprising 24 producers and 24 injectors.
For the initial transport arrangement, crude oil will be moved to Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) in Mombasa, with the report estimating that 100 trucks will be loaded each day.
About 600 trucks will be required to support the six-day round trip between the production area and KPRL.
KPRL will require storage capacity of 900,000 barrels, equivalent to approximately 143,000 cubic meters, to accommodate the crude.
The report further outlines plans for monthly exports of volumes equivalent to about 750,000 barrels, the estimated capacity of an Aframax vessel, through the KOT 2 jetty.
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