Drilling and other preparatory work at major upstream energy projects often proceed with little public visibility until effects become apparent beyond the project site. Rigs and support operations may remain active for months without broader awareness that a project has shifted from planning to execution—a process now underway at the Tilenga oil development in western Uganda.
Transition from planning to action on the ground
Tilenga is part of Uganda’s larger initiative to develop oil resources in the Lake Albert area. As one of two primary upstream development projects related to planned oil production in the region, Tilenga is being executed by TotalEnergies. The project is located in the Buliisa and Nwoya districts.
For many years, activity related to Tilenga focused primarily on technical studies, environmental and social impact assessments, and coordination with Ugandan national authorities. TotalEnergies explained that these preparatory activities required heightened attention because the project is situated in a sensitive social and environmental context.
Specifically, portions of the Tilenga development lie within and around Murchison Falls National Park. This location shaped how early planning and assessment work was conducted, influencing both technical design decisions and the sequencing of project activities.
As preparatory efforts progressed toward execution, drilling emerged as a critical component of development. TotalEnergies stated that Tilenga includes six oil fields and hundreds of wells drilled from clustered well pads to limit surface impact. While drilling does not indicate production, it marks a transition from theoretical planning to physical execution, as rigs and support teams establish the subsurface foundation for later project components.
Drilling progress within a broader developmental framework
Tilenga is organized under an integrated system rather than individualized drilling efforts. TotalEnergies stated that crude oil from the Tilenga fields will be transported by underground pipelines to a central processing facility where oil, water, and gas are separated, with water reinjected and gas used for project‑related energy needs.
Therefore, drilling is just one piece of a larger infrastructure plan, which includes processing plants, flowlines, and energy systems. TotalEnergies noted that excess electricity generated from the project’s operations will be sold to support construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and, when possible, Uganda’s national electrical grid.
The project is operated by TotalEnergies in partnership with CNOOC and the Uganda National Oil Company, reflecting Tilenga’s status as a joint development between private companies and the Ugandan government. As a result, decisions on drilling schedules, infrastructure development, and operating standards are coordinated among project partners.
Cumulatively, drilling illustrates how execution at Tilenga is occurring incrementally; each well adds to the overall layout of the development even though production will be achieved in later phases.
Transparency through continued development
TotalEnergies has consistently expressed that both Tilenga and its related EACOP pipeline must operate with “high levels” of transparency. TotalEnergies states that environmental and social impact assessments were performed in accordance with IFC guidelines, and third-party reviewers evaluated whether TotalEnergies complied with best practice.
Thus, drilling activity is simply one aspect of a larger project involving land acquisition programs, community outreach and engagement, and environmental management practices. TotalEnergies emphasized that the design features included in the project are intended to reduce emissions and operational impacts.
Throughout continued drilling across various development wells, emphasis will remain on building all of the physical and operational foundations required for subsequent phases. However, since the timeline for first oil production is not provided in TotalEnergies’ publicly available information about Tilenga, progressive drilling indicates that Tilenga has begun an execution phase.
From preparation to consistent activity
Drilling at Tilenga is not a singular event but rather evidence of consistent forward momentum. With each additional well drilled, additional steps are taken toward transitioning from conceptualization and planning to execution, even as broader infrastructure and regulatory oversight structures remain intact.
