Oil: Total applies for production licence

By John Odyek

Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Uganda has submitted its first application for a production license, together with its field development plan (FDP), to the Government for the Ngiri field in Buliisa district.

Total is the operator of Exploration Area 1, where the Ngiri field is located, South of the Nile in Buliisa district.

“This is an important milestone not only for Total, but also for its joint venture partners China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Tullow because the FDP approval will lead to the next stage in the oil and gas cycle – the development stage and ultimately to production,” Ahlem Friga-Noy, the company’s corporate affairs manager, told New Vision.

The application was submitted on December 12. Ernest Rubondo, the commissioner for petroleum in the energy ministry, said the Government would scrutinise the application and development plan and engage Total in a technical discussion before granting them the license.

So far, CNOOC has been granted a production licence, while Tullow Oil has submitted a similar application and it is under review.