Uganda Names 'Pearl Sweet' Crude Oil Blend Ahead of Expected Year-End Production
Uganda has taken a significant step towards commercial oil production by naming its prospective crude oil blend 'Pearl Sweet'. The name combines national identity with a commercial description, referring to Winston Churchill's description of Uganda as 'the pearl of Africa' and highlighting the crude's low sulphur content. This move signals progress on a delayed oil push even as pipeline and environmental disputes intensify.
The Ugandan Ministry of Energy said the naming process supports future crude marketing activities and engagement with potential buyers. The country is estimated to have recoverable oil reserves of about 1.6 billion barrels, with French energy company TotalEnergies holding the largest stake alongside China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
Through the Uganda National Oil Company, the Ugandan people own 15% of the project. Production is expected to level out at around 230,000 barrels per day, with blended crude exports coming from separate projects run by CNOOC and TotalEnergies.