Uganda's Crude Oil Officially Named 'Pearl Sweet' Ahead of First Production

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially named Uganda’s crude oil “Pearl Sweet” as the nation inches closer to its inaugural oil production. The announcement was made during a visit to the Kingfisher Oilfield in Kikuube District, where the Kingfisher Central Processing Facility (CPF) has reached mechanical completion.

President Museveni explained that the name “Pearl Sweet” was chosen because the crude oil has minimal or no sulphur content, making it less expensive to process. “We call it sweet because it does not have sulphur,” he stated, adding that “Pearl” signifies Uganda’s renowned moniker, the “Pearl of Africa.”

The President emphasized that Uganda’s oil reserves hold immense potential for economic transformation, provided they are managed strategically and linked to industrial development. He highlighted the planned refinery as a key component for producing fuel for domestic use and export, thereby reducing reliance on imported petroleum products. “Our refinery will be one of the most profitable because, first of all, it’s far from the ocean and it does not have the transportation cost which imported oil has,” he noted.

Furthermore, Museveni announced that associated gas produced from the Kingfisher field will not be flared but utilized for electricity generation, producing up to 80 megawatts, and for the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking. He also cautioned against the misuse of oil revenues, urging that they be invested in durable infrastructure such as power stations and railways for the benefit of future generations.

Discussions also touched upon the vast, yet largely unexplored, petroleum potential in the Lake Albert region, with only about 40% of the lake having been surveyed. The President commended CNOOC for its rapid progress on the Kingfisher project and urged other partners to accelerate their efforts. The Kingfisher project is nearing completion, with first oil expected by the end of September.

This milestone signifies Uganda’s transition from oil exploration to commercial production, with expectations of significant economic benefits and industrial growth for the nation. The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Wu Guangrong, reaffirmed China’s commitment to bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector, focusing on capacity building and industrial development.

Source: State House (Uganda)