The Republic of Kenya and Rift Energy Corp. reached an agreement on oil and gas exploration activities on Block L19 in the onshore Lamu Basin in Kenya.

Block L19 encompasses approximately 12,000 sq km (2.9 million acres) onshore in southern Kenya beginning at the Tanzania border and flanked by the Indian Ocean to the east, extending east about 160 km (99 miles) to the north.

After review of gravity maps and other data by the company's technical team, multiple structures have been identified and an exploration program is being planned to commence to assess the block’s hydrocarbon potential.

There has been only one well drilled on this block to date, the Ria Kaluli 1 well, which was drilled off structure to a depth of 1,538 m (5,046 ft.) in 1962 and was plugged after encountering oil shows in the Karoo formation. Additional seismic surveys and technical studies will be conducted in order to build a prospect inventory and high-grade potential drilling locations.