Mr Zhang Jichang, Vice President of China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company (CPP), the contractor undertaking construction of the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), paid a courtesy call to Mr Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) as part of his supervisory tour of the ongoing pipeline construction activities in Uganda and Tanzania.
During the visit, Mr Zhang updated Mr Rubondo on the project’s milestones, informing him that welding has started in Tanzania and Uganda.
Additionally, Mr Zhang highlighted that eight welders from Uganda and Tanzania are currently undergoing a four-month specialised training programme in pipeline construction in China.
Mr Zhang reaffirmed CPP’s commitment to collaborating with PAU in advancing the EACOP project and sought PAU’s continued support throughout its implementation.
Uganda received nine trucks of coated line pipes at the Main Camp and Pipe Yard (MCPY) 4, in Kyotera District for the construction of the EACOP section in Uganda on 30th September 2024.
Mr Rubondo commended CPP for the progress made on the project and reassured them of the Authority’s continued support. However, he urged the CPP team to prioritise the involvement of Ugandan companies, ensuring they gain valuable experience and expertise during this construction phase. This, he emphasised, would enable local firms to make a meaningful contribution to the EACOP project.
About EACOP
The EACOP is a thermally insulated 24-inch pipeline that will transport Uganda’s crude from the Albertine region in Uganda to the Port of Tanga, on the Indian Ocean for shipping to the international market. The pipeline 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%.