Uganda Names Crude Oil Grade Pearl Sweet Ahead of Commercial Production

Uganda has named its crude oil grade 'Pearl Sweet' ahead of commercial production, expected to start by the end of this year. The name reflects the low sulphur content of the oil and Uganda's nickname as the 'Pearl of Africa', coined by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The discovery of commercial crude reserves dates back two decades in fields along the Albertine rift basin on the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. Commercial production has been delayed due to a lack of infrastructure and disagreements between the government and international oil companies over development plans.

French energy firm TotalEnergies is the majority owner of the fields, holding 56.67% stake, while China's CNOOC holds 28.33%. The Pearl Sweet crude will be exported through the $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a 1,443-km link from Uganda's oilfields to the Tanzanian port of Tanga.