Tanzania hands over construction licence for oil pipeline project

The Government of Tanzania has issued construction licence for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), paving away for the commencement of our construction activities in the neighbouring country.

During the official handover of the certificate on Tuesday, the Minister of Energy for Tanzania, Mr January Makamba, congratulated the management of EACOP for doing a Social and Environmental Impact Assessment for the implementation of the project.

Tanga Regional Commissioner Omar Mgumba said: “The construction of the EACOP project in Tanga region has a big impact on the growth of the regional economy as our people get employment during its implementation.”

The Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority Director General Dr. James Andilile, presented the certificate of approval to EACOP’s General Manager Wendy Brown.

The pipeline that covers about 1,147 kilometers will run from Mutukula, Kagera region to Chongoleani Tanga on the Tanzania side.

The EACOP Company executives submitted the applications for construction licences simultaneously in Uganda and Tanzania in early July last year.

The application for the licence is a requirement under Midstream (pipeline, refinery) legislations including the Petroleum (Refining, Conversion, Transmission and Midstream Storage) Act, 2013, and the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act, 2013.

Energy Minister, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa last month also handed over the construction licence to EACOP.

China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering (CPPP) will lead the construction works for the project development coordinated by Australia’s WorleyParsons Ltd which was awarded the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) tender.

French TotalEnergies holds a 62 percent stake in the project while Uganda and Tanzania each hold 15 percent, and Chinese oil company, CNOOC, has eight percent.