Atacama’s involvement in Uganda’s oil and gas sector spans close to a decade. Its first engagement was the provision of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) services for Exploratory drilling activities in Exploration Area 46 (the current Ngaji Block), to Dominion Uganda, its operators at the time.
The perception then, was that such a service was best entrusted with international environmental consultancy firms, as the national capacity to undertake such work was deemed to be close to zero! Fueled by a determination to correct what was in fact a misconception, Atacama was able to take advantage of the opportunity and exceeded all expectations. The rest, as they say, is history.
Atacama’s execution of the Dominion engagement has since paved the way for numerous assignments in the sector for all the key players including: Total E&P, Tullow and CNOOC. The services have included ESIAs, Environmental monitoring and audits, waste management specialist studies, and social & resettlement services. In the case of the latter. Atacama is the lead contractor for the Tilenga project that is spearheaded by Total E&P and Tullow. The project will lay the foundations for the commercialisation of Uganda’s oil reserves.
