SGS South Africa, a leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification services, has landed a pivotal contract with the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU). The agreement, signed on February 15 this year, spans five years and holds promising implications for Uganda's burgeoning oil and gas sector.The PAU, in collaboration with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and other relevant government entities, is implementing a robust strategy for quality assurance. This strategy ensures the integrity of specialised equipment and materials imported for oil and gas projects in Uganda.According to Johan Eksteen, the business manager of connectivity and products at SGS South Africa, the company will undertake pre-export verification of conformity (P Vo C) assessments of the specialised materials and equipment for oil and gas projects before they are imported to Uganda. "This critical step will validate the compliance of these imports with stipulated standards before they enter the country," he said. "The PAU will approve the use of standards and ensure compliance with these standards during the design, installation, operation, and decommissioning of petroleum activities and midstream operations with the help of SGS."Eksteen said the ramifications of this partnership extended beyond regulatory compliance. By ensuring the quality and conformity of imported equipment and materials, the collaboration between SGS and the PAU is expected to catalyse growth in Uganda's industrial supply chains. This, in turn, will furnish the necessary infrastructure and resources to foster the establishment and expansion of the petroleum industry in Uganda.
