- Earlier today French energy giant, Total, signed agreements for the Tilenga oil project in Uganda and the EACOP (East African Crude Oil Pipeline) project with Uganda and Tanzania.
- The deal is expected to transform Uganda into a major producer and exporter of crude oil.
Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne was among those who signed the agreements earlier today, according to a national television broadcast from the ceremony attended by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Chinaโs largest offshore oil and gas producer,Cnooc Ltd. and Uganda National Oil Co. are also participating partners.
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Pouyanne called the signing of pacts a historic milestone for production work and the export pipeline that will attract more than $ 10 billion in investment. โThis is a very important development, one of the most important that will be developed on this continentโ, although this is only the beginning of a process that will see oil flow in early 2025, he said.
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The partners will develop the Tilenga and Kingfisher discoveries near Lake Albert, as well as a 1,445km heated pipeline to transport waxy crude from Uganda for export to Tanga Port in northern Tanzania. Total holds 57% of the oil field licenses and a significant stake in the pipeline project.
Total expects production to reach a plateau of 230,000 barrels per day.
โThe signing of East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a historic and an important occasion not only for the nations of Uganda and Tanzania but for the entire East African Community,โ Tanzania’s president Samia Suluhu Hassan said. She added thatย that the project will have an impact on the social-economic development of the East African community. As It will provide long and short-term employment opportunities to various citizens.
While President Museveni said, โthe Crude Oil pipeline project can be a core of other similar pipeline operations in the region.โ
Author: Bryan Groenendaal