Concerns Raised Over Elephant Movements Amidst Oil Operations
The World Conservation Society (WCS) and the African Institute for Energy Governance (AFEIGO) are actively investigating reports suggesting a potential disruption to elephant migration patterns in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park due to ongoing oil drilling activities in the Albertine region.
Simon Takozekibi Nampindo, WCS Uganda Program Country Director, emphasized the need for comprehensive monitoring of elephant movements amidst claims linking increased crop raids by elephants to nearby oil drilling. Nampindo highlighted the deployment of tracking collars to study elephant behavior, including their migration routes and any disturbances impacting their movements.
Industry Response and Environmental Concerns
TotalEnergies, the energy company leading the drilling efforts in the Murchison Falls area, has refuted claims that their operations directly influence elephant behavior negatively. The company assured stakeholders that their advanced drilling technologies, such as the SINOPEC 1503 “walking rig,” are designed to minimize environmental impact, including noise levels that could disturb wildlife.
However, AFEIGO has voiced persistent concerns, urging President Museveni to halt plans for additional drilling rigs within the national park. The organization, advocating for environmental sustainability and local community rights in the Albertine region, expressed worries over escalating conflicts between elephants and nearby communities, allegedly driven by disruptions caused by oil operations.
Project Overview and Environmental Mitigation Efforts
TotalEnergies commenced drilling activities in July 2023 under the Tilenga project, focusing on both water injection and oil production wells across designated well-pads in Nwoya and Buliisa districts. The company has adjusted its plans, abandoning certain well pads within Murchison Falls National Park to mitigate environmental impacts, as confirmed by Bob Felix Ociti from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU).
James Berya Opio, Upstream Project Coordinator for the Tilenga Project, reported progress on drilling operations during the Second Annual Joint Civil Society Organization (CSO) Conference on oil and gas. He noted that ongoing studies and consultations aim to ensure the project’s alignment with environmental and regulatory frameworks while sustaining operational efficiency.
Regulatory Oversight and Public Controversy
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), responsible for overseeing oil activities in the country, responded to public concerns raised by various stakeholders and media reports. Executive Director Ernest Rubondo reaffirmed PAU’s commitment to balancing oil development with ecological preservation, particularly in protected areas like Murchison Falls National Park.
PAU acknowledged ongoing discussions with TotalEnergies regarding the deployment of additional drilling rigs, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensive studies to guide sustainable project implementation.
