Uganda has named its new export crude blend “Pearl Sweet” as the country’s $15 billion Tilenga-Kingfisher-EACOP development moves closer to first oil production and exports. Pearl Sweet will combine crude from the TotalEnergies-operated Tilenga development and the CNOOC-operated Kingfisher development. The two crude streams will come together at the Kabaale Shared Facilities in Hoima before flowing through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to Tanzania for export.
Tilenga plans to reach a peak production rate of approximately 190,000 barrels per day, while Kingfisher is expected to produce about 40,000 barrels per day at peak. Together, the two developments could produce around 230,000 barrels per day.
The projects form part of the Lake Albert Integrated Development, which holds approximately 1.65 billion barrels of recoverable oil resources. More than $12 billion has already gone into Tilenga, Kingfisher, and EACOP, against an estimated total development cost of $15 billion.
Uganda describes Pearl Sweet as a medium-light crude with an API gravity of around 28–31° and low sulfur content. UNOC, TotalEnergies, and CNOOC will market the crude to international buyers.
“Pearl Sweet gives Uganda’s crude what every traded grade needs: a clear identity, a defined quality and a name the market can recognize,” UNOC CEO Proscovia Nabbanja said. She added that the new name marks the start of Uganda’s next phase of taking its crude to international markets, building relationships with refiners and traders, and securing greater value for the country.
The 1,443-km EACOP will carry crude from Kabaale in western Uganda to a marine export terminal near Tanga, Tanzania. The pipeline will give landlocked Uganda direct access to international crude markets.
UNOC holds a 15% participating interest on behalf of the Ugandan government in both Tilenga and Kingfisher. Through National Pipeline Company Uganda Ltd., UNOC also holds a 15% stake in EACOP, alongside TotalEnergies, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, and CNOOC.
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source: https://www.worldoil.com/
African Energy Council