Uganda names crude oil blend ‘Pearl Sweet’ ahead of production

Pearl Sweet crude oil East African Crude Oil Pipeline TotalEnergies CNOOC

Uganda has officially named its prospective crude oil blend ‘Pearl Sweet’ as the country prepares for commercial production. Unveiled by President Yoweri Museveni at the Kingfisher Development Area, the name references Uganda’s ‘Pearl of Africa’ identity and the low sulphur content of the oil, which makes it easier and cheaper to refine.

Commercial oil production is expected to begin by the end of September 2026. The country’s petroleum resources include an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil initially in place, with approximately 1.4 billion barrels considered recoverable. The development involves two major projects: Tilenga, operated by TotalEnergies, and Kingfisher, operated by CNOOC. Together, these projects are projected to reach a peak production capacity of approximately 230,000 barrels per day.

The oil will be transported via the 1,443-kilometer East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a heated pipeline designed to move the waxy crude from Uganda to the Tanzanian coast for international export. The Uganda National Oil Company holds a 15 percent stake in the projects.

Entities

CNOOC · China National Offshore Oil Corporation · East African Crude Oil Pipeline · TotalEnergies · Uganda · Uganda National Oil Company · Yoweri Museveni

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Tilenga project is currently 74 percent complete. afrikactus.com · agpguinee.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The oil projects are operated by TotalEnergies and CNOOC, with the Uganda National Oil Company holding a 15 percent stake. afrikactus.com · agpguinee.com · tell.co.ke · mymotherlode.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The combined Tilenga and Kingfisher projects aim for a maximum production capacity of approximately 230,000 barrels per day. afrikactus.com · agpguinee.com · tell.co.ke · panafricanvisions.com · africa.businessinsider.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Commercial oil production is expected to begin by the end of September 2026. afrikactus.com · insightpostug.com · observer.ug · businessfocus.co.ug · africa.businessinsider.com
[● 12 SOURCES] Uganda has officially named its crude oil blend ‘Pearl Sweet’. afrikactus.com · agpguinee.com · entebbenews.net · insightpostug.com · observer.ug · +7 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The Kingfisher project is expected to enter production by the end of 2024 with an initial flow of 28,000 barrels per day. afrikactus.com · agpguinee.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will span 1,443 kilometers to transport oil to the Tanzanian coast. agpguinee.com · www.showbizuganda.com · africa.businessinsider.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Uganda has an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil initially in place, with 1.4 billion barrels considered recoverable. insightpostug.com · observer.ug · ubc.go.ug · businessfocus.co.ug