Block L8

Block L8 is located in the offshore Lamu Basin, a maximum of 100 kilometers from the Kenyan coast, and is operated by Apache. Other companies with a share in Block L8 are Origin Energy (20 percent), Pancontinental (15 percent) and Tullow Oil (15 percent). In October 2013 Apache announced it would give up its share in Block L8. Pancontinental has voiced an interest in increasing its stake in Block L8 if Apache pulls out. Block L8 made international headlines when natural gas was discovered in 2012. The discovery of natural gas could have major implications for Kenya and East Africa's future role as an energy producer. However, the quantity was found to be not commercially viable, and the well has since been plugged.