Uganda expects to produce first oil from Tilenga and Kingfisher fields in 2025 as it progresses projects across the energy sector.
Uganda’s Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu provided an update on the country's oil and gas initiatives at a press briefing Aug. 21. Current petroleum resources in Uganda stand at 6.5 billion bbl (1.5 billion recoverable), she said
Upstream
The Minister noted progress at Tilenga and Kingfisher fields, in Albertine basin, where 72 of 457 planned wells have been drilled. Sixty-three wells have been drilled and completed in the Tilenga project, spanning both the North and South of the Nile in Nwoya and Buliisa Districts. Drilling has so far focused on six of the thirty-one well pads that will host 426 producer and injector wells. Well pads include Jobi-Rii 05 & 04, Ngiri 03 & 01, and Gunya 01 & 04. All three drilling rigs are operational. Currently, seven well pads are over 85% complete and ready to receive a rig.
In the Kingfisher project in Kikuube District, nine out of 11 wells required for first oil have been completed. The development plan includes a Central Processing Facility (CPF) with a capacity of 40,000 b/d and drilling of 31 wells across four well pads.
Elsewhere in the upstream sector, the country is continuing its effort to increase Uganda’s petroleum reserves include preliminary exploration studies in Moroto-Kadam and Kyoga basins and granting exploration licenses to Oranto Petroleum Ltd., Armour Energy Uganda Ltd., Uganda National Oil Co., and DGR Energy Turaco Uganda SMC Ltd.
Midstream, downstream
Along with the upstream segment update, Dr. Nankabirwa also noted the country's progress in the midstream and downstream sectors.
Engineering, procurement and construction management activities are under way at the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), including civil works at the main camps and pipe yards in Hoima and Sembabule districts. Seven batches of line pipes, totaling 500 km, have been delivered to Tanzania.
Regarding the Uganda refinery project, Dr. Nankabirwa said negotiations are ongoing with Alpha MBM Investments LLC for key commercial agreements, with project implementation expected to begin promptly.
Alex Procyk | Upstream Editor
Alex Procyk is Upstream Editor at Oil & Gas Journal. He has also served as a principal technical professional at Halliburton and as a completion engineer at ConocoPhillips. He holds a BS in chemistry (1987) from Kent State University and a PhD in chemistry (1992) from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).