Exploring Uganda’s oil & gas projects in Albertine region
- 22 August 2024
- Posted by: Denis Ssemanda
- Category: energy excellence
A tour to Albertine region
Recently, the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum in collaboration with Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) organized an exclusive tour for its members to explore the country’s burgeoning oil industry. The tour took us to four key locations: Tilenga, Kingfisher, Kabale Airport, and EnviroServ in Hoima.
In this blog post, we’ll reveal the highlights of our journey and share insights into Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
Enroute to Tilenga, we had a brief stop at PAU regional offices in Hoima for briefing that was conducted by PAU officials.
Tilenga: the heart of Uganda’s oil projects
Tilenga is derived from two local names for the Uganda Kob called Til in Acholi & Engabi in Lugungu.The two names were merged to create the name Tilenga.
Tilenga Project is the development of 6 oil fields within Exploration Area 1A, Contract Area 1 & License Area 2. It is operated by TotalEnergies (56.66%), in partnership with CNOOC (28.33%) and UNOC (15%) state participating interest in the Project.
Bunyoro region is set to become the hub of Uganda’s oil production. We visited one of the oil fields, Ngiri-3 where joint venture partners TotalEnergies UG and SL Schlumberger erected one of the three rigs under the Tilenga project in Buliisa. Ngiri-3 has 13 oil wells on one well-pad.
We learned about the extraction process and the measures in place to ensure environmental sustainability. The sheer scale of the operation was awe-inspiring, and we were impressed by the professionalism of the teams on the ground.
Kingfisher: a beacon of hope for Uganda’s economy
Next, we headed to Kingfisher, another key oil field in the region. The Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA) is one of Uganda’s major oil and gas projects. It is located in Kikuube District on the shores of Lake Albert. The name Kingfisher is derived from a fish-eating bird common in Kyangwaali.
According to the brief we received, the Kingfisher Development project will produce 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day when production fully commences.
KFDA intends to implement the following infrastructure projects:
- development of a Central Processing Facility (CPF) with a capacity of 40,000 barrels of oil per day
- nineteen (19) kilometres of flowlines to connect the fields to the CPF
- a forty-six (46) kilometre 12-inch feeder pipeline from the CPF in Buhuka to the export hub and refinery in Kabaale, Hoima District
- supporting infrastructure such as temporary and permanent camps, and several access roads, among others.
Here, we saw firsthand the impact of oil production on local communities. Residents whose households were affected during land acquisition for project infrastructure, such as the Central Processing Facility, well pads, access roads, and feeder roads for the pipeline, have received more than 50 new permanent houses, which are clearly visible. The Kingfisher field is a shining example of how responsible oil extraction can drive economic growth and improve lives.
We arrived at Kabale Airport, a newly constructed airfield that will serve as a vital transportation hub for the oil industry.
Kabale International Airport is a proposed airport, and its construction is still in progress. The construction of the airport was visibly ongoing and according to the site engineer we spoke with, some delays have been caused by various factors, including environmental concerns, although he did not disclose further details.
The airport will have a 3.5 km runway and a terminal building capable of handling international flights. The project is expected to be completed by 2025, although the exact timeline may vary.
The airport will boost tourism in the Kigezi region, known for its natural attractions like Lake Bunyonyi, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
We were impressed by the modern facilities and the potential for increased connectivity between Hoima and the rest of Uganda, which will undoubtedly boost the oil sector.
Our final destination was EnviroServ, a leading environmental services facility located in Nyamasoga Village, Bugahya County, in Hoima District.
We were amazed to see how practical solutions are being employed to handle complex hazardous and non-hazardous waste and chemical pollution problems through a chain of processes, including handling, transportation, and treatment.
The facility, commissioned in 2015, has four major components: a laboratory to test incoming wastes, a sewage treatment plant, a landfill engineered to international design standards, and a contaminated stormwater dam to contain runoff from the site. We were informed that the site manages only hazardous waste to ensure proper disposal with minimal or zero impact on people and society.
In conclusion, the tour was a success offering unique insights into Uganda’s oil and gas industry. We saw the potential for economic growth, community transformation, and environmental conservation initiatives. The Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and Petroleum Authority of Uganda deserve credit for organizing this insightful tour, and we look forward to future events that showcase the country’s natural resources.
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