Simmons & Simmons has advised the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum on the commercialisation of its South Lokichar Basin oil discovery, paving the way for the first consignment of crude oil from the Turkana fields to be transported to Mombasa in readiness for export.

The oil export plan is expected to pump out an average of 2,000 barrels per day to Mombasa.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter said: "With this agreement, which covers legal and technical issues, we will next month, start moving oil from Lokichar to Mombasa for exports".

Commenting on the transaction, partner Adrian Nizzola said: "We are delighted to have been selected to work on this assignment, on the basis of our market leading experience in the oil and gas, and large scale oil pipeline projects".

The export scheme seeks to test the receptivity of Kenyan oil in the global market, pending full field development that includes pipeline construction, connecting the Turkana oil fields to the port of Lamu.

This is a high profile, critical infrastructure project for Kenya, as it will bring in much needed foreign earnings for the economy, through the sale of its share of the oil. It is potentially significant for Eastern Africa, as it is possible that other adjoining oil producing countries will look to tie into this line at some point.

The Simmons & Simmons team is led by international projects partner Adrian Nizzola, assisted by international projects partners Patrick Wallace (London) and Paul Bugingo (Dubai), Supervising Associate, Phil Stevens (London) and Associate, Shu Shu Wong (London). Local legal advice is provided by Kenyan law firm Kittony Maina Karanja (KMK) Advocates.