Uganda issues tenders for refinery studies

Aug 18, 2009 02:00 AM

Uganda has issued an international tender for feasibility studies on the construction of 150,000-bpd refinery as it moves closer to start oil production, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said.
Energy and Minerals Development Minister Hilary Onek has said Uganda doesn't want to export unrefined crude when it starts oil production in the next three-to-four years.

The ministry said the feasibility studies would begin Oct. 20 and examine the anticipated oil production program on the Ugandan side of the Albertine Rift. The six-month study will also determine the viability of the refinery, its location as well as the regional oil-product market.
The study is being funded by the Norwegian government.

Interest in Uganda's oil sector continues to increase, propelled by drilling successes in three blocks operated by Tullow Oil and Heritage Oil.
Earlier, executives of Italy-based ENI held talks with the President Yoweri Museveni and expressed interest in investing in the Ugandan oil sector.

Source / Dow Jones & Company, Inc.