
Respect of your privacy
We use cookies to provide you with the services and features offered on our site and to improve the experience of our users. Cookies are data that are downloaded or stored on your computer or other device.
By clicking on "OK, I accept", you accept the use of cookies. For more information, please refer to the Personal Data Policy and Cookies section.
Change my cookies settings
Please check an answer for every question.
Total pioneering technologies in exploring oil in Murchison Falls National Park
In 2012, Total E&P Uganda accepted the challenge of working in Uganda’s largest protected area - the Murchison Falls National Park. Using environmentally friendly technology and our proven capability in developing oil resources in sensitive areas, we aim to create a project that shows how oil, environment and tourism can co-exist harmoniously.
-
Uganda is the first country onshore in Africa to use the 3D cable-less seismic technology in oil exploration
-
UAV drones used in avoidance mapping
-
Richard, a biodiversity team member working in the Murchison Falls National Park
-
The Seismic team preparing 3D seismic equipment in the field
-
Our team crossing the Nile river at the Murchison Falls
-
The Rothschild Giraffe in the Murchison Falls National Park
-
Elephants in the Murchison Falls National Park
-
The Crested Crane in the Murchison Falls National Park
-
The Bushbuck in the Murchison Falls National Park
-
Butterflies in the Murchison Falls National Park
Environmentally friendly technologies in MFNP
Employing 3D cable-less seismic technology for the first time on shore in Africa places Uganda at the forefront of using innovative technology in exploration. 3D seismic acquisition is based on the same principle as the ultrasound scanners used in medical clinics. This technology produces quick results with less manpower and fewer supporting vehicles. The technology helps the company to achieve best coverage and quality data without deploying kilometres of cables, thus having limited impact on vegetation compared to other techniques. In addition, drilling of horizontal wells for the first time in East Africa has been used. These reduce the numbers of wells to be drilled, fewer pads to be constructed, less number of roads to be opened, resulting in reduced footprint on the environment.
Minimising impact on environment and biodiversity
These technological innovations were developed to protect the specific ecosystem of the park, which is Uganda’s largest protected area covering 3840 km2. The park covers a Ramsar site, a key bird area. 451 bird species are present ranging from the rare Shoe-bill stork to the Dwarf kingfisher and Goliath Heron. The park contains 76 species of mammals as well as Uganda's largest population of the Nile crocodile. It is home to the largest protected population of Rosthschild’s giraffes. It is also home to a recovering population of 950 elephants.
Partnering in conservation
In our efforts to protect the environment and biodiversity, we are working together with various conservation organisations. We also work in close partnership with the government through the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Compliance with laws, rules and regulations provided by the authorities is vital to our operations. Together with UWA, we are currently addressing the lack of detailed baseline data on the biological diversity in MFNP through a growing series of biological surveys. “As the government agency in charge of park conservation, we believe, on the contrary, that all three activities can exist alongside each other in harmony. It was with this in mind that the collaboration with Total began”, explained Tom, Murchison Falls Area conservation manager, Uganda Wildlife Authority.