Museveni to ‘name’ Uganda’s crude oil blend tomorrow

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to oversee the naming of Uganda’s crude oil blend during a Wednesday visit to oil development projects in the Albertine Graben, according to The Observer. The move comes as Uganda advances toward commercial oil production and prepares to give its crude an official identity for the international petroleum market.

The article says Museveni’s visit will include inspections of key oil facilities, with attention on the Tilenga project. Before the president’s trip, Energy and Mineral Development Minister Monica Musenero Masanza led officials from the ministry, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and the Uganda National Oil Company on a tour of the project. They examined ongoing works at the Central Processing Facility, which the report said was 72% complete, and drilling activity at the Gunya-02 well pad.

The naming of the blend is described as a symbolic but important step in Uganda’s transition from oil development to production, transport and eventual export. UNOC said the new name would give Uganda’s crude a distinct place in the global market. The outlet also reported that TotalEnergies EP Uganda said the project was keeping strong pace, with thousands of workers involved and local procurement and training continuing to expand.

Musenero said the benefits of the oil sector should reach communities and businesses beyond the construction phase. TotalEnergies Uganda deputy general manager Mariam Nampeera said nearly 16,000 Ugandans had been employed on the project, alongside more than 2.18 million training man-hours and more than $795 million spent with Ugandan suppliers.