Tanzanian And Ugandan Regulators Sign Strategic Oil, Gas MoUs

The Tanzanian Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA), and the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing exploration, development, and production activities in the oil and natural gas sector in East Africa.

The MoU was signed recently in Entebbe, Uganda, during a ceremony attended by leaders and experts from the three regulators, including PURA’s Board Chairman, Mr. Halfan Halfan, and PAU’s Board Chairperson, Ms. Lynda Biribonwa.

According to the agreement, PURA, PAU, and ZPRA will cooperate in areas such as oil and gas resource management, petroleum data management, cost auditing, community participation in oil and gas projects, health, safety, and environment (HSE), and the formulation of laws, regulations, and guidelines related to oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production.

PURA Board Chairman Mr. Halfan Halfan emphasized that exchanging experience and building institutional capacity among the three authorities is crucial for the growth of the oil and gas industry in Tanzania and Uganda. “Through this agreement, it is evident that exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas in our countries will be significantly strengthened,” he said.

PAU Board Chairperson Ms. Lynda Biribonwa underscored the importance of regulatory bodies working together to ensure the sustainable development of oil and gas resources in East Africa.

The signed agreement marks a continuation of the strategic partnership between Tanzania and Uganda in the energy sector, particularly with the ongoing implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. The pipeline will transport oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to Tanga Port in Tanzania for global markets.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com