The discovery of what has been termed "very high concentrations of natural gas" by a Chinese firm drilling for oil in northern Kenya has raised hopes that the country could soon strike oil and save on a product that accounts for nearly a fifth of the import bill.

China National Off-shore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) had discovered gas in Boghal well in northern Kenya. The ministry of energy says commercial quantities will be ascertained in the next month.

Industry experts say an early discovery of gas would provide Kenya with a ready market for the product within the economy and that it would require less capital and time than oil to exploit.

The high concentrations of gas normally indicate the presence of oil.

Credit: Reuters