Thermal insulation plant launched by EACOP to ease crude oil transportation
When the real drilling begins in the coming year, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will be able to move Ugandan crude oil more easily from the Albertine region to the port of Mwanza thanks to the opening of a state-of-the-art insulation plant.
Tuesday marked the official opening of this plant, which is situated in Sojo Village, Nzega District, Tanzania. EACOP level one contractors and representatives from partner states, including Uganda, led by Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, attended the event.
EACOP states that all line pipes used in Tanzania and Uganda are received by the TIS plant, which will also thermally insulate all 86,000 line pipe joints before dispatch and installation along the Uganda-to-Tanzania route.
According to experts, the insulation serves the same function as a thermos flask, which keeps the fluid inside the pipe warm while keeping the surrounding air cool.
Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, praised EACOP during her speech at the event.
She pointed out that the opening of the Thermal Insulation Workshop marks an important turning point in Tanzania and Uganda’s joint efforts to fortify their energy infrastructure.
According to her, this initiative demonstrates both nations’ dedication to boosting energy security and encouraging regional cooperation.
Concurrent with the inauguration ceremony, formal land lease agreements were also signed by Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
According to Martin Tiffen, Managing Director of EACOP, obtaining land leases and producing thermally insulated pipe are two essential prerequisites for beginning construction along the right-of-way.
