Faith Nyasuguta
Uganda has officially received its first batch of line pipes for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), marking a significant milestone in the country’s oil production plans. The shipment, which arrived on Monday in Kyotera District, comes several months after Tanzania received its initial consignment of pipes for the joint oil pipeline project.
The arrival of these coated line pipes highlights Uganda’s commitment to meeting the EACOP’s 2026 target date to fully commence operations. The coated pipes, essential for the construction of the 1,443-kilometer pipeline, are set to expedite the project’s development, ensuring Uganda can export its first barrels of crude oil by the end of 2025.
According to reports from The East African, the pipes were transported from the coating factory in Nzega, located in Tanzania’s Tabora Region, to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd (CPP), the main construction contractor for EACOP. CPP, in a statement, emphasized the importance of the recent delivery, noting that it would fast-track the construction timeline.
“The project remains on track to meet its construction and operational deadlines, with a strong emphasis on safety, environmental sustainability, and engaging with local communities,” said the statement from EACOP Ltd.
This assurance underlines the importance of adhering to both environmental regulations and community engagement throughout the pipeline’s construction process.
Ali Ssekatawa, Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), expressed optimism about the progress being made. He emphasized that the delivery of the pipes is a significant achievement, and efforts are being intensified to ensure the project’s timely completion.
“This is a major milestone in the construction of EACOP and a clear indication of the project’s ongoing progress. The government and its partners are committed to ensuring that all developments are executed in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner,” Ssekatawa said.
Ssekatawa also confirmed that civil works are already underway at key infrastructure points, including pumping stations, major camps, pipe yards, and storage facilities. These developments span the 1,443-kilometer pipeline, which stretches from Uganda’s Albertine Basin to the port of Tanga in Tanzania. With 800 kilometers of line pipes received so far, these pipes are currently being coated and insulated at the Nzega Coating Yard in Tanzania.
Tanzania’s Progress on EACOP
In December 2023, Tanzania also made headway in its part of the EACOP project. The first 100 kilometers of line pipes were delivered to the Dar es Salaam port, signaling the start of the construction phase on Tanzanian soil. The project coordinator, Mr. Msovu, noted at the time that the installation of the pipes would begin in April 2024, with a projected completion date by 2025.
“We anticipate that the project will officially begin transporting oil from Uganda to Tanzania by the start of 2026,” said Msovu. He further explained that large-scale construction activities were imminent, and 5,000 pipes had already been installed in preparation for the next phase of the project.
Msovu also provided updates on the logistics involved in distributing the pipes from Dar es Salaam to Tabora, the project’s central hub, before further distribution to other areas. He reiterated that both Uganda and Tanzania are dedicated to ensuring the project proceeds as planned, with close coordination between the two nations.
The joint Uganda-Tanzania crude oil pipeline project is seen as a crucial development for both countries, promising economic growth and increased regional cooperation. The successful delivery of these line pipes is a strong indication that both nations are on track to meet their ambitious targets for the pipeline’s completion and operational start.
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