China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd (CPP), the construction contractor for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), has received a significant delivery of nine trucks carrying insulated line pipes.
The pipes, transported from a coating plant in Tanzania, have arrived at the Main Camp and Pipe Yard (MCPY) 4 in Kyotera District.
These insulated pipes are crucial for transporting Uganda’s crude oil along the 1,443-kilometer pipeline, which stretches from the Albertine oil fields in Uganda to the Tanga port in Tanzania.
The insulation ensures that the oil remains warm while maintaining a cool external environment, functioning similarly to a thermos flask.
Following the delivery, CPP will soon begin the pipelaying phase in Uganda, marking another milestone in the EACOP project.
This progress aligns with the project’s timeline for both construction and operations, with an emphasis on safety, environmental sustainability, and engagement with local communities.
In tandem with the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects, the EACOP pipeline promises economic benefits for Uganda and Tanzania, including tax revenues, job creation, local content development, infrastructure improvements, logistics advancements, and a strengthened trade corridor between the two nations.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a significant infrastructure project that aims to transport crude oil from Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine Graben region to the Tanga port on the Tanzanian coast for export.
The pipeline stretches for 1,443 kilometers (approximately 900 miles) from the Albertine oil fields in Hoima District, Uganda, to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.
Of the total length, about 296 kilometers will pass through Uganda, while the remaining 1,147 kilometers will traverse Tanzania.
The project is being developed by a consortium of partners, including TotalEnergies (62% stake), Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) (15%), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) (15%), and CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation) (8%).
EACOP will carry 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Uganda to the Tanzanian coast. Uganda’s oil is classified as waxy and heavy crude, meaning it needs to be kept at a temperature of around 50°C during transportation, necessitating the use of insulated, heated pipes.
The EACOP is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to both Uganda and Tanzania, including:
Tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation as well as billions in expected tax revenues for the two host governments.
The EACOP project is expected to be completed by 2025, with pipeline construction already underway.
The arrival of insulated pipes in Uganda signals progress, as welding and laying of the pipeline will soon begin.
The total project cost is estimated at around $3.5 billion, including financing from both private and public sources. Notably, it is the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world.
The pipeline is a key part of Uganda’s strategy to monetize its estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil reserves, of which around 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable.
It also represents Tanzania’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional hub for oil and gas exports.
