Brisbane-based Global Petroleum said in its June quarterly report that it was continuing its East African exploration efforts with Woodside Petroleum and UK-listed company Dana Petroleum in four blocks – L-5, L-7, L-10 and L-11.

Global, which holds 20% equity in the four licences, said it would be carried by Woodside through the drilling and testing of two wells in L-5 and L-7. Woodside was actively searching for a drilling rig and had indicated the second quarter of 2006 as a likely date for spudding first well, which would probably be in L-5.

A 5500km 2D seismic survey done in 2003 had revealed several leads in L-5 and L-7 in water depths of 1650-2800m, with the leads ranging in size from 10-60 square kilometres.

Interpretation of the more recent 3600km 2D seismic survey carried out over the last northern winter were expected to be completed next month and would form the basis for selecting the drilling locations.

Woodside holds 50% equity in L5 and L7, and 40% equity in L11. it is the operator in both blocks. Dana Petroleum holds a 30% stake in L5 and L7, and 40% in L11.

In Block L-11, Woodside has until the last quarter of this year to determine whether or not to continue with this acreage.

In L-10, Dana (80% and operator) and Global (20%) are discussing an extension of terms and work program commitments with the Kenya government.

Only 30 or so wells have been drilled in Kenya since it gained independence from Britain in 1963 and analysts say the offshore the East African coast – stretching from Yemen to Mozambique – could become a major oil region much like the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, where several elephant-sized fields are now being developed.