The arrival of Insulated Pipelines into Uganda. Courtsey Phpto EACOP/PAU
Nine trucks
loaded with coated line pipes for the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline were delivered
to Kyotera district as the construction of the pipeline nears.
A statement from the Petroleum Authority of
Uganda described the delivery of the pipes at the Main Camp and Pipe Yard (MCPY)
as another milestone.
China
Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd, the construction contractor for the
East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd received the pipes from the coating
plant in Tanzania.
Another
statement from EACOP Company said the insulated line pipes will be distributed
to multiple designated storage sites along the 1,443-kilometer-long crude oil
pipeline that will connect Albertine oil fields in Uganda to the Tanga port in
Tanzania.
“With the
arrival of the insulated line pipes in Uganda, the pipe lay Contractor CPP will
shortly commence laying of the EACOP pipeline in Uganda. The project remains on
track to meet its construction and operational timelines, with a continued
focus on safety, environmental sustainability, and local community engagement,”
said EACOP in a statement.
It said the construction
of the EACOP Pipeline in combination with the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects
will benefit the economies of Uganda and Tanzania including tax revenues for
the two Host Governments, job creation, national content, new infrastructure,
logistics, skills and technology transfer, and enhancement of the trade
corridor between Uganda and Tanzania.
PAU said the
coated line pipes will be transported to
designated storage sites and laid along the 1,443-kilometer heat-traced crude
oil pipeline.
The EACOP will transport Uganda's crude oil from the Hoima
Terminal in Uganda to Tanga Port in Tanzania, where it will be exported to
international markets.
To date, the project has received 800 kilometers of line
pipes, which are currently undergoing coating and insulation at the Nzega
Coating Yard in Tanzania.
Ali
Ssekatawa, the Director Legal and Corporate Affairs at the Petroleum Authority
of Uganda, highlighted the significance of this development, stating that the
arrival of the pipes marks a key milestone in the construction of the EACOP.
“This
is a major landmark in the construction of the EACOP and a clear sign of the
progress of the project. Government and its partners are committed to ensuring
that all developments are completed in the most environmentally responsible and
sustainable manner. Civil works have already advanced on the pumping stations, main
camps and pipe yards, and storage facilities along the EACOP route as well as
the coating plant in Nzega that is now in operation,” said Ssekatawa.
Ssekatawa
emphasized, “We recognize the importance of mitigating climate change, which is
why the project will prioritize the use of renewable energy wherever possible
for all pumping, heating, monitoring, and storage operations.”
He further noted
that the Ugandan section will be fully carbon neutral, powered entirely by 80MW
of solar and hydro energy, while efforts are underway to develop similar
renewable capacity on the Tanzanian side.
The
EACOP is a thermally insulated 24-inch pipeline that will be supported by six
pumping stations—two located in Uganda and four in Tanzania. Construction of
the Main Camps and Pipe Yards is advancing in both countries.
The
project, estimated to cost $5 billion, is being developed by the EACOP Company,
with Uganda and Tanzania each holding a 15% stake, while TotalEnergies holds
62%, and CNOOC Uganda Limited owns 8%.