Uganda plans to export its first crude oil by the end of October 2026, with production from the Lake Albert crude development scheduled to begin at the end of July 2026, according to Uganda’s energy minister (Argus Media, 13/04/2026).
The crude will be transported through the 1,443 km East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to the port of Tanga, in Tanzania. The pipeline will have a peak capacity of 216 kb/d, according to the project’s website. The minister stated that construction of the pipeline is in its final phase. TotalEnergies, China’s CNOOC, and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) hold 62%, 8%, and 15% stakes respectively in EACOP, with the state-owned Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation holding 15%.
The Lake Albert project’s 230 kb/d plateau production is expected to be reached within two years of first oil, with plans to maintain this level for five to six years. Uganda is also planning a USD4bn, 60 kb/d capacity refinery to be supplied by the Lake Albert fields. The minister added that exports of refined products via Tanzania will follow once the refinery becomes operational. TotalEnergies holds a 57% interest in the Lake Albert upstream development, while CNOOC holds 28% and UNOC 15%.