UNOC appoints Vitol to market Pearl Sweet crude for early‑2027 exports
- Exports scheduled to begin in early 2027.
- Tilenga and Kingfisher developments expected to produce up to 230,000 barrels per day combined.
- Export route via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline to the Port of Tanga; pipeline and export terminal are nearing completion.
- UNOC and Vitol have deepened ties with a US$2 billion facility and a MoU with TPDC to develop a regional energy hub at Tanga.
Commercial appointment and timing
The Uganda National Oil Company announced Vitol will market the Government of Uganda and UNOC’s allocation of the new crude and confirmed exports will be available from early 2027.
Crude profile and production
The crude, officially named by the President on 2 September 2026, is described as a medium-to-heavy sweet crude with a high conversion yield profile. It will be produced from the Tilenga and Kingfisher development areas, which are expected to reach combined production of up to 230,000 barrels per day.
Transport, infrastructure and commercial ties
Export volumes will travel through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania; the pipeline and associated export terminal are reported to be nearing completion. On 6 August 2026 UNOC, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and Vitol signed a memorandum to develop a regional energy hub at Tanga. Vitol has been supporting Uganda’s petroleum products supply programme and has signed a US$2 billion facility with UNOC to support energy infrastructure development.
Source: Vitol
