Exploration firm Tullow Oil has made a new oil discovery in Kenya, the fourth consecutive wildcat discovery since 2012.

Wildcat drilling, also known as exploratory drilling, usually occurs in areas where potential for oil and gas has not been explored.

Tullow’s latest discovery was made at the Ekales-1 wildcat, located in Block 13T in Northern Kenya between the Ngamia-1 and Twiga South-1 oil discoveries. The company said results of drilling, wireline logs and samples of reservoir fluid indicate a potential net oil pay in the Auwerwer and Upper Lokone sandstone reservoirs of between 60 and 100 metres.

Tullow operates the Ekales-1 well, with and Africa Oil taking a 50 per cent interest.

The company also announced its Agete-1 well in block 13T had commenced drilling, with a third rig expected to be operational later in the year.

“This success at the Ekales-1 wildcat is further evidence of the exceptional oil potential of our East African Rift Basin acreage. Having opened the first basin with the Ngamia-1 well last year, we are now increasing the pace of exploration in Kenya aiming for 12 wells over the next 12 months,” said Angus McCoss, exploration director with Tullow Oil.