World’s longest heated crude pipeline connecting Uganda and Tanzania makes vital progress

Uganda and Tanzania’s project to build the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline has taken a leap forward with the commissioning of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) coating plant.

The state-of-the-art facility is where all pipe sections manufactured in China and shipped to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam will undergo thermal insulation and coating. The coating process is an essential part of the project as the carbon-steel pipe will be sheathed in carefully-designed thermal insulation.

High-tech pipeline

This will carry a web of electrical filaments and fibre-optic cables along the entire 1,443km length so that crude oil from wells in Uganda can reach the Tanzanian coast safely for export. Heat will allow the fuel to flow efficiently while the fibre will connect leak sensors to real-time satellite tracking surveillance to minimise environmental damage risks. After coating, each 18m section will be transported to main camps and pipe yards along the pipeline corridor ready for final assembly in the EACOP trenchline before burial.

Safeguarding environment

The coating plant was officially commissioned on Tuesday by Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, and Tanzanian counterpart Dr Doto Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, in Tanzania’s Tabora Region.

All pipes will be installed with aluminium raceways, an insulation layer, polyurethane foam, an anti-diffusion barrier, and high-density polyethylene before distribution.

“All this is aimed at safeguarding the environment and surroundings, as well as prolonging the lifespan of the pipeline,” Nankabirwa said, describing the commissioning as a “true testament that the project is on course and at a point of no return”.

Progress updates

Construction of the four tank main storage terminals at Chongoleani, Tanga on the Tanzanian coast is currently underway.

EACOP will connect Tanga to Hoima in western Uganda which will also house a refinery, enabling some Ugandan crude to be processed for domestic consumption. The balance will be exported and sold on the international market.

TotalEnergies BV, CNOOC Uganda Limited, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) are EACOP Company’s shareholders.

Nankabirwa also confirmed works on upstream projects in Uganda - Tilenga and Kingfisher Development Areas - were also progressing well with four rigs in the country drilling development wells and construction of the industrial area to host central processing facilities and their auxiliary parts.