CNOOC Uganda Limited (CUL), in collaboration with its contractor CENERTECH and partner Infiniti Line International Limited, has conducted a well control emergency drill at the Kingfisher Oilfield, reaffirming its commitment to safety, operational excellence, and emergency preparedness.
The exercise brought together key stakeholders from government, regulatory bodies, and industry to demonstrate response capabilities and reinforce high safety standards across operations.
Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Uganda, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, TotalEnergies E&P Uganda, the Uganda National Oil Company, and the National Environment Management Authority Uganda—highlighting the strong collaboration driving Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
At the centre of the drill is a well control emergency base facility, strategically located near the well pads to enable rapid response in the event of an incident. The facility is equipped with 34 sets of specialised equipment across six categories and 15 items. It is operated by a dedicated team of 11 professionals, including six Ugandans and five Chinese experts, ensuring round-the-clock readiness and facilitating knowledge transfer.
The drill follows the successful completion of the first phase of the Kingfisher drilling campaign in February 2026, during which 18 wells were drilled across three well pads. Completion operations are currently underway and progressing steadily.
April 20 is observed across all CNOOC operations globally as “Well Control Day,” marked by drills, inspections, and workshops guided by strict performance standards from headquarters. These activities are designed to strengthen well control management and promote a strong safety culture.
As Uganda advances toward first oil, CUL continues to prioritise safety through technology deployment and capacity building. This includes the signing of a well control emergency services contract in October 2024 and the full deployment of equipment to the Kingfisher Oilfield in August 2025. The emergency service base is now fully operational, providing assurance of swift mobilisation and effective intervention when required.
The initiative also contributes to national content development. Through structured training, mentorship, technology transfer, and hands-on experience, Ugandan personnel are building critical competencies in the inspection, operation, and maintenance of well control emergency systems.
The establishment of a dedicated well control emergency service at Kingfisher reflects a proactive approach to risk management and complements similar frameworks within Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
During the drill, participants observed a range of specialised equipment used in environmental monitoring, safety protection, wellhead rebuilding, emergency support, firefighting, and debris clearance. The exercise demonstrated both equipment functionality and personnel readiness in managing well control scenarios.
The primary objective of the drill was to validate emergency response systems and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Insights gathered from stakeholder participation are expected to further strengthen safety performance across operations.
CNOOC Uganda Limited expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued support and shared commitment to safe, responsible, and sustainable oil and gas development in Uganda.
