The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has inaugurated its coating plant in Sojo, Nzega – Tabora Region Tanzania commissioned by Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa and Tanzanian counterpart Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Doto Biteko.
The plant will oversee the thermal insulation and coating process of all pipe sections imported from China for the pipeline, enabling the safe transportation of Ugandan crude oil along the 1,443 km pipeline to the Tanzanian coast for export.
“All this is aimed at safeguarding the environment and surroundings, as well as prolonging the lifespan of the pipeline,” Nankabirwa said.
The coating process is an essential part of the project as the carbon-steel pipe will be sheathed in carefully-designed thermal insulation. All pipes will be installed with aluminum raceways, an insulation layer, polyurethane foam, an anti-diffusion barrier, and high-density polyethylene before distribution.
Following coating, the 18m pipe sections will be distributed to main camps and pipe yards along the pipeline corridor for final assembly before burial.
