The East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) celebrated the inauguration of a Thermal Insulation Plant (TIS Plant) in Nzega District, Tanzania, marking a pivotal moment in the project’s development. This plant, a crucial component of the pipeline infrastructure, is tasked with applying thermal insulation to all line pipes destined for use in both Tanzania and Uganda.
The purpose of the Thermal Insulation Plant is to provide thermal protection to all 86,000-line pipe joints before their deployment and installation along the pipeline route from Uganda to Tanzania. Similar to the function of a thermos flask, the insulation ensures the retention of fluid warmth within the pipes while simultaneously regulating external temperature conditions.
The inauguration ceremony was honored by the presence of Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy of Tanzania, alongside Ruth Nankwabira, the Minister of Energy & Mineral Development of Uganda, EACOP Management, contractors, and various distinguished guests including Ministers, Members of Parliament, High Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and government officials from both Uganda and Tanzania.
In conjunction with the inauguration, significant agreements were signed between the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) regarding corridor lease agreements. These agreements, following the completion of land acquisition and compensation processes, pave the way for construction activities along the pipeline’s right of way.
With a ramp-up period underway, the TIS Plant is poised to achieve an impressive production capacity of 110,117 kilometers of insulated line pipe per month. Production is set to commence immediately and continue through to 2025, marking a sustained effort towards the project’s completion.
The establishment of the Thermal Insulation Plant not only signifies technological advancement but also heralds the creation of numerous employment opportunities within the region. During the construction phase, 500 personnel were employed onsite, while 270 workers will be actively engaged in front-line site activities during the production phase.
Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy of Tanzania, expressed pride in the inauguration of the Thermal Insulation Workshop, emphasizing its role in advancing infrastructure capabilities and fostering regional economic growth and development.
Ruth Nankwabira, Minister of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda, lauded the inauguration as a significant milestone in strengthening energy infrastructure and enhancing energy security within the region.
Martin Tiffen, EACOP Managing Director, conveyed his pleasure in marking the commissioning of the Thermal Insulation Workshop, highlighting its pivotal role in safely transporting oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert region to international markets. He emphasized the plant’s commitment to safety, operational excellence, and sustainability, and its contribution to employment and up-skilling opportunities within Tanzania and beyond.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline, spanning 1,443 kilometers, represents a major export infrastructure that will facilitate the transportation of Uganda’s crude oil to international markets.
