The drilling of production wells for the Kingfisher and Tilenga oil production projects is continuing since the launch in January 2023, in preparation for the planned commencement of oil production in Uganda in 2025.
Drilling of the first well for the Kingfisher field has been completed to a total depth of about 3000 m, and the LR8001 rig is now at the location for the second well. For the Tilenga project, the initial phase will see the drilling of 12 development wells on the Jobi-5 well pad, part of the Tilenga oil fields.
The Uganda oil project envisions drilling over 450 wells on 35 well pads, leading to an estimated production of 230,000 BOPD at its peak once production begins. Production from multiple fields that include Kingfisher, Jobi Rii, Ngiri, Kasamene-Wahrindi, Gunya, Nsoga, and Kigogole will contribute to this output.
Three rigs have been designated for the drilling operations on the Tilenga project. Sinopec 1501 is operational at the Jobi-5 well pad and began drilling operations on 28 June. The second rig is undergoing final tests at the Ngiri 3 well pad before drilling, while the third rig is being assembled and is expected to begin operations in October. For the Kingfisher project, the LR8001 rig has been operational since January.
Uganda’s oil projects are a collaborative effort between TotalEnergies EP Uganda, CNOOC Uganda Limited, and the Ugandan government, with the key facilities for the project comprising the central processing facility, well pads, flowlines, and a lake-water abstraction system. Water is withdrawn from Lake Albert at a water intake structure fixed to the lake bottom approximately 1.5 km from the shoreline and transferred to the shoreline via an intake pipe laid along the lakebed.