Russia
's largest independent crude
producer LUKoil has begun talks with the government of
Uganda
to develop oil fields in the East
African country, Dow Jones reported, citing a company spokesman.
LUKoil made an investment proposal to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
when the company's vice president, Andrei Sapozhnikov, visited the country last
Thursday.
Uganda
's
government intends to issue licenses to develop five oil fields near
Lake Albert
later this year. LUKoil
said it was interested in the region but had not made yet the final decision on
whether to take part in a tender.
The Russian crude producer's foreign projects operator, LUKoil Overseas,
confirmed on Monday that the head company was interested in Ugandan projects.
"We confirm that the talks were held on
Uganda
's
initiative. The projects are being considered," a spokesman for LUKoil
Overseas told RIA Novosti.
U.S. Exxon Mobil Corp and
France
's
Total, which had negotiated with
Uganda
's
Dominion Petroleum Ltd, have also been eyeing
Uganda
,
where three exploration blocks with some 1 billion barrels of oil were recently
discovered.
Britain
's
Tullow Oil is currently operating near
Lake
Albert
, and
China
's
CNOOC is planning to join in as a partner.
(from
Ria Novosti)