Skip to main content

Kenya’s Energy Crossroads: Gulf Energy Takes Over Tullow Oil in Turkana’s Geothermal-Rich Fields

Gulf Energy Takes Over Tullow Oil’s Turkana Fields – Oil Drilling to Overlap a Geothermal Hotspot

In a landmark energy shift for Kenya, British explorer Tullow Oil has officially exited the country after 14 years, selling its Turkana operations to Gulf Energy  in a deal worth Ksh.16 billion (USD 120 million). The transition marks the end of Tullow's chapter in Kenya and the beginning of a new phase that could reshape not only oil production but geothermal exploration as well.

The takeover grants Gulf Energy full control of the Turkana oil project, situated in a geologically active zone that also happens to host significant geothermal potential. Beneath Turkana’s arid landscapes, volcanic systems create natural heat reservoirs turning the region into a rare frontier where oil and geothermal energy converge.

Tullow Oil first entered Kenya in 2010, striking the Ngamia-1 discovery well in 2012, which ignited hopes of the country becoming an oil producer. Yet, infrastructure bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, and financing challenges kept large-scale production out of reach. With partners Total Energies and Africa Oil pulling out in 2023, Tullow was left stranded making this exit almost inevitable.

For Kenya, however, Gulf's Energy arrival is a fresh opportunity. The company’s CEO, Paul Limoh, has framed the acquisition as a “major boost for Kenya’s energy ambitions,” emphasizing that it will not only accelerate oil development but could also strengthen national energy security if geothermal synergies are tapped.

The oil blocks sit within a geothermal-rich corridor in Turkana, opening up a potential dual-resource strategy: extracting hydrocarbons while also harnessing clean, baseload geothermal power. This layered energy mix could reduce reliance on imports, lower costs for future oil operations, and transform Turkana into a hybrid hub of renewable and non-renewable energy.

Tullow, meanwhile, departs with the first installment of USD 40 million (about Ksh.5 billion), while retaining the right to royalties and even an option to rejoin the project later with up to a 30% stake.

What lies ahead for Turkana is no longer just an oil story it’s a crossroads of fossil fuel ambitions and geothermal promise. With Gulf Energy now steering the wheel, the big question remains: will Kenya finally strike its first commercial oil and in the process, unlock geothermal energy that has quietly simmered beneath Turkana’s soil for centuries?

 

Connect with us: LinkedInX

Comments

Popular posts

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico A Game-Changer for AI, Clean Energy, and the Future By Robert Buluma – Alphaxioms Energy Blog In a bold move that signals the future of energy and technology convergence, XGS Energy and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced a groundbreaking agreement to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of next-generation geothermal energy in New Mexico. This partnership not only promises to reshape the state's energy landscape but also underscores the growing demand for sustainable, round-the-clock power to fuel the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven economies. Clean Power Without Water – XGS’s Unique Edge At the heart of this partnership lies XGS Energy’s proprietary solid-state geothermal technology. Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely heavily on water and specific geological conditions, XGS’s innovation enables electricity production from hot, dry rock  with zero operating water use. This water-inde...

EAPOSYS and Halliburton Unite to Supercharge the Future of Advanced Geothermal Systems

EAPOSYS  Partners with  Halliburton to Accelerate the Deployment of Advanced Geothermal Systems By:  Robert Buluma Biel/Bienne, Switzerland – October 10th, 2025  The race toward a sustainable energy future just got hotter. EAPOSYS SA, a Swiss geothermal innovation company, has joined forces with Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) to fast-track the deployment of its groundbreaking Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) . Under the newly signed agreement, Halliburton will conduct a subsurface feasibility study to evaluate and optimize the scalability of EAPOSYS’s patented closed-loop geothermal architecture. This collaboration will refine well designs, assess stratigraphic conditions, and minimize drilling risks  paving the way for the industrial-scale rollout of clean, predictable geothermal energy . “EAPOSYS SA has developed an innovative, patented, closed-loop architecture to deploy AGS anywhere in the world,” said Naomi Vouillamoz , CEO and co-founder of EAPOSYS. “AGS ...

Košice Ignites Its Geothermal Future: A 30-Year Dream Becomes Reality”

Košice Turns Up the Heat: Geothermal Energy to Warm the City After 30 Years in Waiting By: Robert Buluma After three decades of anticipation, the city of Košice, Slovakia, is finally set to tap into one of the Earth’s cleanest and most sustainable energy sources geothermal heat. On Wednesday, drilling begins on the long-awaited project “Utilization of Geothermal Energy in the Košice Basin”, marking a major leap toward energy independence and carbon neutrality for Slovakia’s eastern metropolis. From the site of Svinica–Ďurkov, a new deep geothermal well will be drilled, expected to reach a temperature of 135°C and a flow rate of 55 liters per second. Two reinjection wells each plunging roughly 3,700 meters deep  will accompany the main production well, ensuring a closed-loop system that reuses and reheats the geothermal water beneath the Earth’s surface. The third and final well is expected to be completed by mid-2026. Turning Vision into Reality The geothermal heating project is be...

Driving the UK Toward Net Zero: Chris Sladen on Geothermal’s Untapped Potential

Alphaxioms, we talked to Chris Sladen about his involvement in geothermal both in the UK, and globally By:  Robert Buluma Chris, please begin by explaining a little about yourself, and why you have a passion for geothermal? I have spent over 45 years involved in energy. Following undergraduate studies in geology at Southampton University, and a PhD in sedimentology at Reading University, I joined the energy sector in Aberdeen in 1980. It was a fascinating era when it seemed like at least one giant oil & gas field was discovered offshore every month; the wealth creation for the UK was gigantic. I got to see so much geology and rocks - my true passion. I moved to China in late 1983; not today’s China, this was over 40 years ago, a country closed for decades and embarking on an open-door policy, in part to bring both investment and technology. I became very interested in energy trends, energy politics, and new geography created by changing politics leading to opportunities for ene...

Powering the Future: How Geothermal Energy is Revolutionizing the Oil Industry Globally

Harnessing Geothermal Energy Alongside Oil: A Global Case Study   By:  Robert Buluma Geothermal energy, the heat derived from the Earth’s core, has long been recognized as a sustainable and reliable energy source. However, its integration with the oil and gas industry is a relatively new and exciting development. This case study explores how geothermal energy is being harnessed alongside oil globally, highlighting innovative projects, technological breakthroughs, and the synergies between these two industries.   The Synergy Between Geothermal and Oil Industries This Geothermal Decade saw a rise in Oil and Gas companies vouching for Geothermal Energy The oil and gas industry brings decades of expertise in subsurface exploration, drilling, and reservoir management—skills that are directly transferable to geothermal energy development. Both industries rely on similar technologies, such as directional drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and high-temperature equipment, m...

"Zanskar's Lightning Dock Triumph: Redefining Geothermal Energy Potential"

Zanskar's Lightning Dock: A Game-Changer for Geothermal Energy By: Robert Buluma In a bold move that underscores their unwavering commitment to geothermal energy innovation, Zanskar has made headlines with a groundbreaking development at the Lightning Dock geothermal power plant. Betting on an underperforming resource, the company has not only turned the site around but delivered a world-beating gusher that validates their ambitious vision.   The Rise of Lightning Dock Zanskar's strategy has always been clear: harness modern data collection techniques and advanced statistical tools to unlock geothermal sites previously overlooked by the industry. Their efforts over the past three years have led to the discovery of numerous potential hotspots, proving that geothermal has far more untapped potential than previously believed.   Together with XGS energy, Zanskar is well poised to redefine the geothermal energy drilling sector with proven breakthroughs and a financial mus...

PPC Renewables Announces Geophysical Assessment Tender In Tetra, Lesvos Greece

Unveiling the Hidden Mysteries:  PPC Renewables Calls for Tender in Petra, Lesvos Island By: Robert Buluma In the heart of the Aegean Sea lies an island of unparalleled beauty and historical significance – Lesvos. But beneath its serene surface lies a mystery waiting to be unraveled, and  PPC Renewables is taking the lead in uncovering it. Picture this: Land Geophysical Surveys, delving deep into the secrets of Petra, Lesvos Island, Greece. It's not just any ordinary survey; it's a journey into the unknown, a quest for knowledge hidden beneath the earth's surface. Referring to the intriguing Call for Tenders (ref/title: PR110000001319) dated 12th April 2024,  PPC Renewables beckons the daring and the curious to join them in this adventure. The scope of the contract? Nothing short of extraordinary – 2D Seismic Reflection, Gravity & Magnetic Surveys with precise positioning, coupled with integrated Geological-Tectonic-Geophysical analysis of all available data. But w...

INTERVIEW, Geretsried and Beyond: Eavor’s Blueprint for Reliable, Sustainable Energy

Robert Buluma :  Alphaxioms Responses were provided by Jeanine Vany, Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Eavor . Can you explain the key technological advancements in the latest iteration of the Eavor-Loop™ system? We have made a number of technological advancements at our project in Geretsried Germany . This includes innovation and learning resulting in dramatic improvements in our drilling performance and we’re proud to talk about our technology. For example, Eavor recently announced successful implementation of our in-house AMR (active magnetic ranging) tool which makes drilling more accurate and efficient. Eavor-Link™ AMR uses magnetic ranging while drilling to maintain constant alignment as it drills two wells at approximately 100 metres apart before they are intersected to create a continuous geothermal loop, which is then sealed with Eavor’s proprietary Rock-Pipe™ formula. With real-time data transmission between downhole sensors, the technology ensures tighter bo...

Mercury, Contact Lead NZ's Supercritical Geothermal Energy Revolution

🌋 From the Ground Up: New Zealand’s Bold Leap into a Supercharged Geothermal Future By:  Robert Buluma In the heart of New Zealand, beneath the rugged volcanic landscapes and steaming geysers, lies an energy revolution waiting to erupt. On July 30th, 2025, a powerful message echoed from the geothermal capital of the Southern Hemisphere — New Zealand is not just embracing its geothermal potential; it is preparing to unleash it. With the unveiling of the draft strategy titled From the Ground Up , the government, led by Minister Shane Jones for Resources and Regional Development, signaled a transformative shift in how the nation will harness the heat beneath its feet — and it's as ambitious as it is inspiring. 🔥 A Legacy Forged in Steam New Zealand’s geothermal story is deeply rooted in its identity. Long before turbines spun and power grids buzzed, Māori ancestors were using geothermal waters for warmth, healing, and cooking. Geothermal, or waiwhatu , is more than a resource — ...

Mastering the Subsurface: Insights from a Geothermal Reservoir Engineer

Geothermal energy is often called the “quiet backbone” of the clean energy transition. To understand the science, challenges, and innovations driving this sector, we spoke with a seasoned geothermal reservoir engineer with experience spanning the Andes, Nevada, Utah, and volcanic fields worldwide. Here’s what they shared. By:  Robert Buluma 1. What sparked your passion for geothermal reservoir engineering, and did you ever imagine yourself working in some of the world’s most challenging geothermal fields? My passion was sparked during my early career in the petroleum industry, specifically in reservoirs. I was fascinated by the subsurface—how fluids move, how heat and pressure interact but it wasn’t until I worked on projects in Peru that I realized geothermal offered the chance to apply my skills to clean energy. I never imagined I would later work on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) projects in Nevada and Utah or Andean volcanic fields, where the geology is as unforgiving as it ...