Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Uganda Set to Begin Oil Exports Through Tanzania
Uganda is preparing to sell oil to other countries for the first time.
The oil is called Pearl Sweet and is expected to begin shipping in December.
At first, oil will come from the Kingfisher field.
A larger project called Tilenga is expected to begin producing oil in early 2027.
The oil will travel through a long pipeline to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.
From there, it can be shipped to buyers.
Uganda expects production to grow to 230,000 barrels per day within three years.
The country also plans to build a refinery that will eventually receive priority for Uganda’s oil.
Uganda plans to begin commercial exports of its Pearl Sweet crude in December.
Production from the CNOOC-operated Kingfisher field is expected to start at 25,000 barrels per day.
Output is projected to reach 230,000 barrels per day within three years as Tilenga comes online.
Crude will travel through the 1,500-kilometer East Africa Oil Pipeline to Tanzania’s port of Tanga.
Uganda is also planning a 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery, with a final investment decision expected around February.
- Who
- Uganda, its energy officials, CNOOC, TotalEnergies, and Vitol Group are involved.
- What
- Uganda plans to begin exporting Pearl Sweet crude oil commercially and increase production to 230,000 barrels per day within three years.
- When
- Commercial shipments are scheduled to start in December; the Tilenga project is expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2027.
- Where
- The crude will move through the East Africa Oil Pipeline to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.
- Why
- Uganda is developing its oil fields for export while planning a refinery that will eventually receive priority for domestic crude.
- Crude grade
- Pearl Sweet, described as medium-to-heavy and low-sulfur crude
- Initial production
- 25,000 barrels per day from Kingfisher in December
- Kingfisher target
- 40,000 barrels per day within six months
- Three-year production target
- 230,000 barrels per day
- Export route
- A 1,500-kilometer pipeline to Tanga, Tanzania
- Refinery plan
- A proposed 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery
- Crude marketer
- Vitol Group