The most advanced Chinese oil drilling equipment in the oil and gas industry exploration and development sector has arrived at the Kingfisher Oil fields in Buhuka Parish, Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube District.
Represented by the ‘Drilog and Welleader’ system and the land rig ‘LR8001’ is a deluxe land rig customised for the Kingfisher project in Kikuube.
As the first 8km-long fully automated silent rig in Africa, it is equipped with industry-leading technologies like well site de-noising control, zero discharge system and pipe column automation system, according to Mr Chen Zhuobiao, President CNOOC Uganda Ltd.
He says the whole set of equipment supports the integrated operation of various wellbore and well types adding that during the operation, it effectively protects the regional ecological environment.
A total of 18 to 20 trucks are expected to be delivered daily for the next three weeks from Malaba to well pad 2 at the Kingfisher Development Area at Buhuka landing site on Lake Albert (Mwitanzige) n Kikuube district.
“This oil drilling equipment will support Uganda to become an important crude oil producer in East Africa. The equipment shall also provide some localisation job opportunities for Ugandans during the good drilling and completion process, train more localised talents for oilfield development and bring tangible changes to local economic development and livelihood to make the ‘Pearl of Africa’ brighter,” Mr Zhuobiao says.
He reiterates that CNOOC Uganda Ltd continues to show its determination to promote the high quality development of ‘The Belt and Road’ initiative and build a China-Africa community with a shared future.
Mr Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director Petroleum Authority of Uganda says the Authority will support the company to ensure that oil gets out of the ground.
“We are happy that CNOOC Uganda Limited has delivered the rig as promised. We shall continue supporting the company to fast track development of the Kingfisher project in Uganda,” states Mr Rubondo.
