Construction of Tanzania, Uganda gas transmission pipeline set to begin

The construction plans for a gas transmission pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda is well underway. This is in a bid to expand energy cooperation between the two neighboring countries.The natural gas transmission pipeline will run from Dar es Salaam to Uganda via Tanga and Kagera regions.

According to Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Managing Director Kapuulya Musomba, the government is now looking for a consultant to conduct a feasibility study for construction of the pipeline. The feasibility studies, he says, should entail aspects such as overall cost of the project, gas demands along the route, compensation requirements and capacity of the pipeline.

Tanzania boasts estimated recoverable natural gas reserves of over 57 trillion cubic feet. These are mostly in offshore fields in the south of the country. The anticipated gas pipeline is expected to provide Uganda with natural gas for their steel industries.

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The planned gas transmission pipeline is expected to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. The two are presently constructing a crude oil export pipeline to help transport Uganda’s crude reserves from fields in the country’s west to international markets. This will help the otherwise land-locked country.

The 1,445 km pipeline from Hoima oil fields in Uganda to the Tanga port is expected to be the longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline in the world. It will cost the two countries US $3.55Bn. According to TPDC tender notice, the consultant will undertake a market survey along the proposed pipeline route. This is for purposes of establishing the current and future natural gas demands through the identification of all potential customers covering all natural gas segments.

The consultant will also propose an economical route for the natural gas transmission pipeline to adopt. This, according to TPDC, should have minimal compensation and property, facilities and resettlements. The route will be from Dar es Salaam to Tanga via either Bagamoyo or Chalinze based on potential natural gas demand.