New licensing round for oil exploration in 2019

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new exploration window for oil exploration in the Lake Albert Basin will be in 2019.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Robert Kasande, revealed this at the 4th Oil and Gas Convention ongoing in Kampala.

Giving an update on the oil and gas sector, Kasande said arrangements for the next licensing round is in high gear for new blocks in the Albertine Graben.

An estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil deposits have been confirmed in 40 percent of the basin. In 2016, the government offered exploration licenses for a number of firms in the basin, the first of its kind since the discovery of oil and gas.

This next round would be the second time exploration licenses would be offered to many firms. The First Oil is slated for 2020, with progress being made on the oil roads, crude oil pipeline, refinery, central processing facility and other installations as well as the international airport.

Dr Elly Karuhanga, the Chair of Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, also organisers of the convention, said all stops must be pulled to ensure benefits for Ugandans.

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