Three Nigerian independent companies have been granted two acreages for exploration in Uganda.

The companies are; Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NDPR) and Oranto Petroleum.

These companies are the only proven hydrocarbon producers from the ten companies which made it to the final list for six blocks announced in 2015.

The remaining firms includes, Australia’s Armour Energy Limited, Canadian-based Rift Energy Corporation, Glint Energy LLC of USA and Swala Energy Ltd of Australia.

Waltersmith was awarded the Turaco shallow and deep acreage while NDPR and Oranto were joined together for the Ngassa block.

In February of last year, Uganda announced its first competitive bidding round for six exploration blocks. These blocks are; Mvule, Taitai and Karuka, Ngassa, Turaco, Kanywantaba and Ngaji. They cover a total of 3,000 km². 

In October of that same year, bidding documents were issued to 16 oil firms, Energy Mix reports.

Anita Fatunji