Africa-Press – Uganda. During a working visit by the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Ernest Rubondo, it was confirmed that the Tilenga Oil Project has surpassed the first oil requirements.
The visit examined project components both north and south of the River Nile, providing a comprehensive update on Uganda’s flagship upstream development.
Under the Tilenga project, 420 wells will be drilled across 29 well pads, targeting a peak production of 190,000 barrels of oil per day, a pace that places the project ahead of its drilling schedule.
At the Tilenga industrial area, infrastructure development is making significant progress toward operational readiness.
Total Energies EP Uganda reported that the project has reached over 60% overall completion, with steady advancement in civil works, mechanical installations, drilling operations, and pipeline construction.
Speaking to journalists after the two-day visit, Ernest Rubondo praised the pace of work and reaffirmed the sector’s alignment with achieving first oil by July 2026.
“All the key stakeholders are working to ensure the first oil requirement is achieved in all Uganda’s major petroleum developments,” Rubondo said.
Other major petroleum projects in Uganda are also advancing steadily. The Kingfisher project under CNOOC Uganda Limited has reached 76% completion, while the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is 80% complete, with all 296 km of line pipe for Uganda delivered by January 20, 2026, and 200 km of pipeline welded on the Ugandan section.
The oversight tour underscores the strong momentum driving Uganda’s oil and gas sector, with drilling ahead of targets and construction progressing across critical facilities, keeping the country firmly on track to commence oil production within the planned timeframe.
