Mombasa: The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has initiated a series of public consultations on seven draft regulations and the Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with the goal of enhancing oversight of Kenya's upstream and midstream petroleum sector. These consultations are part of preparations for the nation's anticipated full-scale oil production.
According to Kenya News Agency, EPRA Director for Petroleum and Gas, Eng. Edward Pinyo, addressed industry stakeholders and the public during a forum at a Mombasa hotel. He emphasized the importance of the proposed regulations in preparing Kenya for oil production, stating that these regulations are essential for governing the petroleum sector as mandated by the Petroleum Act 2019. The Act empowers EPRA to regulate various aspects of upstream petroleum, such as issuing exploration and drilling permits and approving field development plans.
Eng. Pinyo highlighted that since the discovery of oil in 2012, the Kenyan government has been working on establishing a robust regulatory framework to support commercial production. Field development plans have been a key focus, with submissions and revisions occurring in December 2021 and March 2023, respectively.
The new legislation aims to address several critical issues, including safeguarding local content, environmental protection, health and safety measures, and land access for petroleum development. Additionally, it seeks to ensure that only prudent costs are recovered by contractors. Eng. Pinyo reassured attendees that public and stakeholder feedback will be integrated into the regulations before they are finalized and submitted for gazettement.
During the forum, Susan Muthoni from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers called on EPRA to collaborate with other entities, such as the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and county governments, to improve road safety in petroleum transportation. Muthoni advocated for designated areas for tankers to prevent accidents on highways, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts between EPRA and various agencies.