By Benedict Okethwengu
The Government is negotiating with Total E&P Uganda, to carry out more drilling in search of commercially-viable hydrocarbons in Nebbi district.
The state minister for finance, Fred Jachan Omach explained that President Museveni met with Total officials to discuss the drilling of more wells in other prospective sites in the district.
He added that the company is only waiting for their license to be renewed before they start to drill more wells.
“The President last week met Total officials and we are happy they promised to come and carry more tests and drilling. So, I ask the people of Nebbi to pray hard so that they can find oil deposits ” Omach said
He noted that the discovery of oil would boost the economy and improve the social welfare in the district.
He was speaking on over the weekend at fundraising ceremony that was to mobilise resources for the construction of Amor Chapel at Amor Village in Pakwach Town Council. Over sh15m was raised at the event.
Total E&P Uganda, the French oil company handling exploration and production of oil in Block 1 in the Albertine region, struck two dry wells in their first attempt to discover commercially-viable hydrocarbons in Nebbi district.
The Odyek-1 and Riwu-1 wells located in Panyimur and Alwi sub-county respectively were drilled in January after acquiring 2D seismic data, but no hydrocarbons were found.
Following the failed attempts, the company suspended plans to drill, Okuma- A, well in the same area as Riwu-1.
Ahlem Friga-Noy, the corporate affairs manager of Total E&P Uganda, noted that Total made a discovery in January, in Lyec 1, out of the five exploration wells drilled.
She said in an email that the discovery corresponds to the normal ratio for exploration. She added that as per February, 2, the license has expired and has not been renewed.
