Tullow has encountered hydrocarbon shows during exploration and appraisal activities conducted in Blocks 10BB and 13T onshore Kenya, a company press release said.

The Kodos-1 exploration wildcat in Block 10BB is the first well drilled in the Kerio Basin, northeast of the successful South Lokichar Basin. Hydrocarbon shows were encountered in Kodos-1, which indicates the presence of an active petroleum system. However, reservoirs were mixed quality alluvial sands close to the basin boundary fault at this well location.

Following up on the encouraging hydrocarbon shows at Kodos-1, further drilling in the greater Kerio Basin can be expected during 2015, Tullow said.

The Ekosowan-1 well in Block 10BB is the most southerly well drilled to date in the South Lokichar Basin, 12 km (7.5 miles) southeast and up-dip of the previous Amosing-1 oil discovery. The well extended the proven oil basin southward having encountered a 900-m (2,953-ft) section of near continuous oil shows throughout an interval of tight faulted sands.

The Ngamia-4 well in Block 10BB continued the successful appraisal of the Ngamia oil field. The well was drilled 1.1 km (.7 miles) west of the Ngamia-1 discovery well and successfully encountered up to 120 m (394 ft) of net hydrocarbon pay, of which up to 80 m (262 ft) was oil. The well has been suspended for use in future appraisal and development activities.

Tullow operates blocks 10BB and 13T with 50% equity and is partnered by Africa Oil Corp., also with 50%.