Lobby raises red flag over Total’s role in oil plan

Uganda was initially to build an 890km export pipeline jointly with Kenya before Total scuttled the deal. [Courtesy]

Festering differences between the Energy ministry and French oil major Total could disrupt Kenya’s upstream oil industry even before it begins commercial production, an industry lobby has warned.

The French firm last month acquired Maersk Oil’s global business, giving it a 25 per cent stake in the three blocks in Lokichar that are being readied to start oil production. It will partner with Tullow Oil – which is the operator and has a 50 per cent stake – and Africa Oil (25 per cent) in the blocks 13T,