07 November 2013, News Wires – Tullow Oil is to resume operations at Kenyan blocks 10BB and 13T on Friday after agreeing a new co-operation deal in the wake of recent protests.
The UK-listed explorer has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kenyan minister of energy reaffirming its commitment to local employment and local contractors as well as transparency throughout its operations.
The explorer said the agreement “clearly lays out a plan for the Government of Kenya, county government, local communities in Northern Kenya and Tullow to work together inclusively over the long-term and to ensure that operations can continue without disruption in the future”.
The UK-based explorer halted its operations in Turkana County at the Twiga 1 drill site after a demonstration authorities said had resulted in looting and destruction of property.
The unrest was sparked after a group of 400 people held a protest at the drill site late last month to demonstrate against what they said was Tullow Oil’s failure to hire enough local people and companies at the project.
Some people broke into the drill site and caused damage to the facilities, the Kenyan government said. The country’s interior ministry said that 800 of the project’s 1400 staff were locals.
– Upstream