Uganda and Tanzania have registered yet another key milestone following the commissioning of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) coating plant nestled at Sojo, Nzege – Tabora Region in Tanzania.
Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, and her counterpart Dr Doto Mashaka Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of the United Republic of Tanzania commissioned the facility on March 26, 2024.
It is at this coating plant where all the pipelines delivered from the Port of Dar es Salaam will undergo thermal insulation and coating and thereafter be transported to the different Main Camps and Pipe Yards (MCYP) along the pipeline corridor ready for use in the construction of the EACOP.
Dr Nankabirwa appreciated EACOP Company Ltd for remaining committed to the development of the EACOP Project since the announcement of the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the upstream projects as well as the EACOP in February 2022.
“Today’s commissioning of this plant is a true testament that the project is on course and at a point of no return,” she said.
The minister explained that as showcased in the design of the coating plant, all project pipes will be installed with aluminium raceways, an insulation layer, Polyurethane foam (PUF), an anti-diffusion barrier and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) before distribution to the different lots across the 1,443KM line of the EACOP that will run from Kabaale sub-county in Hoima district of the mid-western part of Uganda in Bunyoro region.
“All this is aimed at safeguarding the environment and the surroundings as well as prolonging the life span of the pipeline,” Dr Nankabirwa continued.
“Works on the upstream projects in Uganda namely Tilenga and Kingfisher Development Areas are also progressing very well with four rigs in the country drilling development wells and construction of the industrial area to host the Central Processing Facilities and their auxiliary parts”, she said.
The event also witnessed, the EACOP Company and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) signed three Land use and Ports Agreements and including the Lease Agreement for land for the construction of the Main Storage Terminal, the Marine Facility Agreement and the Marine Use Agreement.
Tanzanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr Biteko, said that compensation of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) had progressed well thus far, with works for the construction of the four tank Main Storage Terminals at Chongoleani, Tanga all currently underway.
“You, the people of Tabora region are lucky because the pipeline coating yard is at the centre of the EACOP, 700km apart from Hoima and from Tanga and you should, therefore, celebrate this milestone and ensure that you harness the opportunities this plant is bringing here,” Dr Biteko said.
Mr MartinTiffen, the Managing Director EACOP Company, revealed that the Thermal Insulation and Coating Plant not only signifies technological advancement but also creates numerous employment opportunities within the region.
He said during the construction phase, a total of 500 personnel on site were employed disclosing that during the production phase, 270 workers will be involved in front line site activities like running the thermal insulation production lines, pipe handling, logistics, maintenance and inspection.
The coating yard has to date received three batches of pipelines totalling to 300km.
“We have two batches that are arriving at Dar es Salaam and by this time next year, all the 1,443km pipelines will be here with us and all insulation works will be progressing as scheduled,” Mr Tiffen said.
Mr Dozith Abeinomugisha, the Director Midstream at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), said that the Authority is undertaking joint monitoring and regulation with its counterpart, Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) Tanzania to ensure that aspects relating to all the licences given to the EACOP company are adhered to.
“The EACOP Company has received its construction licences from both Governments of Uganda and Tanzania and civil works are ongoing in both countries. We have to jointly monitor closely to ensure all the guidelines and regulations are followed,” Mr Abeinomugisha said.
