Uganda’s Oil and Gas sector is gaining momentum, with the Tilenga Project in the Albertine Rift being a prime example.
The latest updates indicate that currently over 110 wells have been drilled, marking significant progress in the project.
This milestone was revealed by Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, during a three-day visit to the project sites in the Albertine Graben.
He noted during his tour that Ugandan companies have developed the capacity to take on high-level engineering works, undertaking operations with increasing efficiency.
Project Overview
The Tilenga Project, undertaken by TotalEnergies, spans approximately 1,174 hectares and involves the development of six oil fields and the drilling of around 400 wells. The project also includes:
Central Processing Facility: A facility that processes crude oil for transportation.
Water Abstraction System: A system that extracts water for use in the project.
Flowlines and Pipeline Network: A network of pipes that transport crude oil from the wells to the central processing facility.
New Roads and Base Camps: Infrastructure developed to support the project’s operations.
Community Benefits
The project has also had a positive impact on the host communities and, according to Rubondo, community livelihood restoration projects in Pakwach Subcounty have created lasting value within the communities. One notable example is the Apiary (beekeeping) project and demonstration farm at Kitawe Primary School, which he said provides food for the school and trains locals in improved agricultural practices.
“This contributes to pupil retention in school, increased crop yields, and boosts household incomes of the farmers groups that get the training,” Rubondo said.
Progress and Future Outlook
The progress made on the Tilenga project is commendable, with over 90 wells having been drilled by mid-December 2024, and now that the number has since risen to over 110, everything seems to be going according to plan. The project’s advancement is a testament to Uganda’s growing Oil and Gas sector, which has transitioned from exploration to production and development.
Statistics and Investment
The Final Investment Decision (FID) for Uganda’s Oil and Gas projects, worth approximately USD 20 billion, was taken in February 2022. Since then, the sector has seen significant investment, with over 5,280 procurements worth USD 5.3 billion made as of 2024.