ADVOKS GLOBAL · KENYA
Petroleum Act
8. Conduct of petroleum operations
Edition: 2026-07-24 · In force
8. Conduct of petroleum operations
(1)No person shall engage in any petroleum operations in Kenya without having previously obtained the approval of the Cabinet Secretary or Authority in such manner, in such form and on such terms as are prescribed by this Act.(2)Any upstream petroleum operations shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the terms and conditions of a petroleum agreement.(3)The national government may conduct upstream petroleum operations either—(a)on its own through the national oil company;(b)through contractors in accordance with petroleum agreements; or(c)as may be prescribed by this Act or any other written law.(4)Subject to this Act, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a petroleum agreement, the national government may authorize a contractor to engage in upstream petroleum operations within a specified area.(5)Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the national government may grant to any person, other than the contractor, a permit for the prospecting and mining of minerals or other natural resources other than petroleum or the conduct of operations other than upstream petroleum operations within an area covered by a petroleum agreement:Provided that the prospecting, mining or other operations shall not interfere with upstream petroleum operations.(6)The national government may participate in any phase of upstream petroleum operations in accordance with the terms and conditions of a participation agreement entered into between the national government and the contractor.