Petroleum Authority halts oil operations at Kingfisher over safety 

Drilling and other operations at the Kingfisher project in Kikuube district, western Uganda have been suspended following a Friday accident that claimed one life.

URN has seen a leaked letter by Ernest Rubondo, executive director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), directing CNOOC Uganda Ltd to halt operations from October 7 until further notice. The letter referenced; PAU 10/01/002 was addressed to the CNOOC Uganda president.

“The Petroleum Authority of Uganda has learnt of a fatal incident within the Kingfisher project area that occurred today 6th October 2023. This regrettable incident follows several safety incidents that this authority has previously brought to the attention of CNOOC Uganda Limited (CUL). This trend is unacceptable as it compromises the safety of the personnel and damages the safety of the sector,” said Rubondo in the letter.

Quoting section 177 of the Petroleum (Exploration, Development, and Production) Act 2013, Rubondo directed CNOOC to halt operation with the exception of activities required to maintain safety and security. 

He suggested a Zoom meeting between the two parties tomorrow Sunday afternoon. While details about the incidents are scanty, sources at the site indicated that the fatal accident involved a truck belonging to Excel Company, which was subcontracted by CNOOC Uganda Limited for site clearance, and construction of well pads among others. 

The Kingfisher field is being developed by a partnership of oil and gas companies: TotalEnergies E&P, (56.67%), China National Offshore Oil (CNOOC), (28.33%), and Uganda National Oil Company (15%). CNOOC Uganda, a subsidiary of CNOOC, serves as the operator of the field. 

CNOOC began drilling works in January this year, almost a year after a Final Investment Decision was taken. Sources at the ministry of Energy indicated that while TotalEnergies Tilenga project area has not suffered any fatal accidents, the Kingfisher area has been dogged by a number of incidents. 

The source indicated that it appears like CNOOC has failed to enforce strict safety standards. Like sectors of the economy, the oil and gas industry in Uganda is required to protect employees against work-related sickness, disease, and injury. 

Amina Bukenya, the manager of media and publicity at CNOOC Uganda confirmed that there was an accident on site but declined to give further details when contacted on the phone. She confirmed that they were headed for a crisis meeting over the same matter.