Emmy Olaki
23 August 2007
Kampala — Uganda can now produce more than 30,000 barrels of oil per day following the discovery of more oil by the Irish company, Tullow Oil.
Tullow yesterday announced that the oil was found in three zones of the Mputa-3 well in Block 2 in Hoima district, showing a combined flow rate of over 4,000 barrels per day. This brings to 17,000 the total flow rate from all the wells on this block.
Another block, Block 3A, which Tullow shares with Heritage Oil and Gas, has a flow rate of almost 14,000 barrels per day.
"Tullow Oil announces the successful drilling and testing of the Mputa-3 appraisal well in Uganda's Block 2," according to a press release, issued by Aidan Heavey, the chief executive of Tullow Oil in Ireland.
"The well was drilled to a total depth of 973m and encountered hydrocarbons in three separate zones. Pressure and sampling data indicate that all three zones could flow at a combined rate in excess of 4,000 barrels of oil per day."
The company said it had encountered producible hydrocarbons in all seven wells it had drilled. But Mputa-3, it added, had surpassed their projections. "The Mputa-3 well has exceeded our pre-drill expectations in terms of sand development and production performance."
According to Heavey, the appraisal programme was on schedule and the company would now move its equipment to Mputa-4.
Asked for a reaction, the Ugandan Government said the new find could turn the Lake Albert region into a true oil province.
"This well shows that the potential of the Albertine Graben is unraveling," Reuben Kashambuzi, the commissioner for petroleum exploration and production, told The New Vision.
"It is a discovery in succession, which means that this could turn out to be a significant petroleum province. It is something to watch."
He said Mputa now had the potential to support the early production scheme, expected to start in 2009. Drilling of more wells, such as Mputa-4, would help boost reserves, he added.
Tullow Oil became 100% owner and operator of Block 2 after buying out its joint venture partner, Hardman Resources. It is also a 50% partner with Canadian-based Heritage Oil and Gas, which discovered oil in the Kingfisher well in Block 3A.
The Irish company also has licences in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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