Hoima, Uganda — The construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is steadily advancing, with key infrastructure projects such as the Kabaale Pumping Station in Hoima district nearing completion.
This station will serve as a critical hub, receiving crude oil from feeder pipelines linked to Uganda’s major oil development areas: the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube district and the Tilenga Development Area in Buliisa and Nwoya districts.
According to the Manager of Above Ground Installation for the EACOP Project, Hadi Watfa , the feeder pipelines will connect these production areas to the Kabaale station, from where the crude will be transported via the EACOP pipeline to the Tanga port in Tanzania.
“Two pipes—one from the east through Tilenga and another from the west through Kingfisher—will be joined to the export pipeline. This export pipe will ensure the crude oil reaches Tanga,” Watfa explained.
Construction Timeline
Watfa stated that the major foundational work will be completed by December 2024, with additional installations to follow by April 2025.
“From today, I would say that in 16 to 17 months, construction should be 100% done,” he said.
Key milestones in the construction process include laying concrete foundations, installing equipment, and connecting it to piping, cables, and the control system.
Pre-commissioning activities, which involve rigorous testing of individual subsystems such as piping, electrical, and telecom installations, are expected to commence three months before the completion date.
“Pre-commissioning will ensure each subsystem works seamlessly, with no leaks, deficiencies, or problems. Afterward, we will enter the commissioning phase, ensuring all subsystems operate in unison without interface issues,” Watfa explained.
The Kabaale Pumping Station is a cornerstone of the $5 billion EACOP project, which aims to unlock Uganda’s vast oil reserves and boost regional economic growth.
The pipeline, stretching 1,443 kilometers from Uganda to Tanzania, is the longest electrically heated pipeline in the world and is expected to transport up to 216,000 barrels of crude oil daily once operational.
Construction of the sophisticated Kabaale station is a part of Uganda’s ambitious plan to achieve oil production targets by 2026.
1 comment
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