Oil companies acknowledge receiving production licenses

The Joint Venture Partners confirmed Total E&P Uganda as the operator of Exploration Area 1 (EA1) and Tullow Uganda Operations Pty Ltd as the operator of Exploration Area 2 (EA2), have received approvals for their oil field development plans.

EA1 is located in Murchison Falls National Park and EA2 is located in the Lake Albert Basin.

The companies acknowledged receiving production licenses for the Ngiri, Jobi Rii, Gunya fields in EA1 and the Mputa-Waraga, Kasemene-Wahrindi, Kigogole-Ngara, Nsoga and Ngege fields in EA2 from the Government of Uganda.

The Joint Venture Partners have expressed their gratefulness to the Government of Uganda for the approvals granted that will now enable them proceed with activities required to make a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the integrated Lake Albert project. 

"This approval marks a major milestone towards the production of Uganda's oil resources. It complements the production license issued to CNOOC Uganda Ltd as the operator of the Kingfisher Discovery Area and the important decision made to export crude oil to the international market through a 24 inch, 1443km pipeline from Kabaale to Tanga port," said a joint statement by the companies.

"The granting of Production Licences now paves the way for the Joint Venture Partners and other stakeholders to make considerations for significant long term capital and infrastructure investments in Uganda," read the statement.