Uganda names its crude oil today ahead of market entry

Energy and Mineral Development Minister Dr Monica Musenero Masanza led senior officials from the ministry, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, and Uganda National Oil Company. Buliisa, Uganda | URN | President Yoweri Museveni is expected to preside over the naming of Uganda’s crude oil blend during a visit to oil development projects in the Albertine Graben, as the country moves closer to commercial production. The President is expected to visit key oil development facilities as Uganda prepares to give its crude oil an official blend name that will identify its origin, qualities and composition.

The visit on Wednesday was preceded by a tour of the Tilenga project by Energy and Mineral Development Minister Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, who led senior officials from the ministry, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and Uganda National Oil Company. The delegation inspected ongoing development activities, including the Central Processing Facility, where construction is now 72 percent complete, and drilling operations at the Gunya-02 well pad. The visit also included a meeting with Project Affected Persons in Kyamandindi Village to assess the implementation of livelihood restoration programmes.

Uganda National Oil Company said the naming of the crude blend will mark an important stage in the country’s transition from developing its oil resource to preparing it for the international market. “For years, Uganda’s oil has existed as a resource beneath our soil. It has been discovered, studied, developed and prepared for the journey from our oil fields to the world.

This is the moment Uganda’s crude moves from being known by what it is to being known by what it is called. Tomorrow, Uganda puts a name to its oil. Tomorrow, it gets an identity!” UNOC said in a statement.

The blend name is expected to communicate characteristics of Uganda’s crude and distinguish it in the international petroleum market. During Musenero’s inspection, TotalEnergies EP Uganda General Manager Philippe Groueix said the Tilenga project had maintained strong momentum, with thousands of workers engaged across multiple sites. He said construction work at the Central Processing Facility was being accelerated as the project advances towards production.

The CPF is designed to receive and process crude oil produced from the Tilenga oil fields before it enters the transportation system. In 2023, President Museveni launched oil drilling activities at the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube District. He returns today to unveil the name of Uganda’s crude oil.