EWURA grants Construction Approval for East African Crude Oil Pipeline project

The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) has granted the Construction Approval to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project.

The oilfields and pipeline project, is being jointly developed by France’s TotalEnergies, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, along with the state oil companies of Uganda and Tanzania. It required approval from both countries with Uganda issuing a license to the project operator last month.

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Construction license

The construction license is required to enable EACOP to formally start on the ground construction activities in Tanzania as part of the development of the 1,443 km pipeline project. Minister for Energy, Hon. January Makamba graced the handover event, with regional commissioners from eight of the regions where the pipeline will pass through, members of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, members of EWURA Board and Management and officials from EACOP were also in attendance.

The US $10bn project set to run from Uganda’s oilfields around Lake Albert to the port of Tanga in Tanzania’s northeast region. It will start from Kabaale, Hoima in Uganda to Chongoleani, Tanga in Tanzania. The underground heated pipeline is set to become the longest of its type when completed, expected in 2025, and has been held up as an economic opportunity for both countries.

“This marks another step forward for EACOP as it allows the commencement of our construction activities in Tanzania upon completion of ongoing land access process. We are grateful to the government of Tanzania for the expedited delivery of the application as per commitment in the Host Government Agreement (HGA) and the continuous support for implementation of the EACOP project,” EACOP Ltd general manager, Tanzania Branch, Wendy Brown.