TotalEnergies is aiming for June 2027 to ship Uganda's first crude oil export, using a heated pipeline system to move the fuel, according to Energy News Network.
The French energy major's target applies to the country's first commercial export of its Pearl Sweet crude. The timeline was reported by Energy News Network on Wednesday.
The plan centers on a heated artery designed to keep the waxy crude flowing, a technical requirement tied to the properties of Uganda's oil. Energy News Network did not provide further detail on the pipeline's specifications or the volume of crude expected to move.
The June 2027 target represents a delay. Business Insider Africa reported that Uganda's Pearl Sweet crude missed its export target, with the first commercial shipment pushed to mid-2027. Benin Web TV also reported that Uganda had delayed oil production, affecting expected revenue and growth.
The crude would travel through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, or EACOP. Pml Daily reported on the project's environmental and biodiversity management agenda, indicating that environmental oversight remains part of the pipeline's development.
Separately, New Vision published a blog discussing how Uganda could turn its petroleum wealth into lasting development, a question that has accompanied the project as it moves toward first export.
What to watch next: whether TotalEnergies confirms the June 2027 date and whether construction and environmental milestones on the pipeline stay on schedule.