Uganda's energy ministry permanent secretary Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa has expressed support for Eni's prospective bid for a 50 per cent stake in blocks 1 and 3A in the Lake Albert basin.

The two blocks are currently jointly owned by Heritage and Tullow, with the former's 50 per cent stake valued at $1.5 billion.

As part of its bid, Eni has drawn up comprehensive proposals to develop Uganda's nascent oil and gas industry which will include investment in pipeline infrastructure, refinement and personnel training.

According to New Vision, Kaliisa has expressed the desire to attract a global oil and gas major to the project, as expertise and capital reserves will be of key importance.

"We will approve a company whose market capitalisation is three times the size of the required investment," he explained.

The Ugandan government is holding oil and gas firms working in the country to stringent training and development criteria to ensure local workers benefit from future oil and gas discoveries.

Getenergy for Western Africa