Tullow Oil threatens to shut down Turkana operations in two weeks

Crude Oil being transported from Turkana fields to Mombasa

TURKANA, KENYA: Tullow Oil has said it will shut down its operations in Turkana within the next two weeks if the impasse with the local community is not resolved. The National Government was expected to enter an agreement with the community before resumption of operations at the oil fields.

The firm has for about a month not been able to undertake any work at its Lokichar base following protests by area residents demanding for among other things increased security in the area. The protests, which saw Tullow and its contractors, evacuate employees and only leave a skeleton staff, also stalled the movement of crude oil under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme.