TotalEnergies Tackles Challenges to Bring Uganda's First Commercial Oil Production Online

TotalEnergies has taken a significant risk in Uganda's oil production, investing $10 billion in the Tilenga field and building an entire industry from scratch.

The company, led by CEO Patrick Pouyanné, has faced numerous challenges, including land acquisition disputes and Western banks refusing to finance the project. However, TotalEnergies persevered, injecting its own equity to move forward with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a 1,443km heated pipeline running from Uganda to Tanzania.

The pipeline's construction is roughly 75% complete, with $3.3 billion already invested, and all pipes have been delivered along the route. TotalEnergies' persistence has been unusual, with most big firms avoiding the project due to its risks and uncertainties.