Kampala — Government has tabled before parliament the seven Petroleum Production Sharing Agreements signed with four different companies and joint venture firms over the last 18 years.

Energy and Mineral Development Minister, Hilary Onek who tabled the agreements before the house on Tuesday afternoon said that government concluded the first contract with Fina Exploration B.V in March 1991.

The second agreement was signed with Heritage Oil and Gas Limited in January 1997, while the third agreement with Hardman Resources Uganda Limited was concluded in January 1997. Other agreements are the one with the joint venture firm Hardman Resources Uganda Limited and Tullow Oil which was concluded in October 2001; one with the joint venture between Heritage Oil & Gas Limited and Energy Africa which was concluded in July 2004; one with Neptune Petroleum Uganda Limited which was concluded in September 2005 and lastly the one with Dominion Uganda Limited which was concluded in July 2007.

"The total take for the country is on average 70 percent. 30 percent has been left to the oil companies, but that too will be taxed" Onek told MPs, adding that the agreements compare well with others signed by other countries.

According to the Minister, the terms and conditions of the agreements have progressively improved in government's favour since the first agreement was signed. He said that signature and production bonuses have since been introduced; government's share of the profits increased to 80% while the level of state participation in exploration has risen to 20%.

Training fees for Ugandans have risen from US$50,000 to US$150,000 during the exploration period and from US$150,000 to US$300,000 during the production.

MPs rejected calls to keep the agreements confidential. The agreements have been committed to the committee on natural resources, which will discuss them beginning on Wednesday afternoon.