Oil & Gas

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has reached 62% overall completion, marking a major milestone in Uganda's journey toward becoming an oil-producing nation. During a field tour of project sites in Hoima, Buliisa, and Kakumiro districts, project managers confirmed that construction is on track for first oil production by the end of 2026, with Pump Station One (PS1) already 67% complete.

According to Hadi Watfa, Lot One Manager for Uganda, key infrastructure works are progressing rapidly. Pipe installation is scheduled for August, with mechanical completion expected by June 2026, and pre-commissioning in March 2026. PS1 is critical, as it will receive crude from the Tilenga and Kingfisher fields and pump it through the 1,443-kilometre heated pipeline to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.

Construction progress is also evident on the 96-kilometre feeder pipeline from Tilenga, where 75 kilometres have already been welded, and the 50-kilometre line from Kingfisher is at 95% completion, according to project engineers. Moses Kirumira, Deputy Construction Manager, emphasized the significant involvement of Ugandan engineers and technicians, underscoring the project’s commitment to national content.

Merian Ahabwe, EACOP’s National Content Manager, reaffirmed that the project remains on track for full delivery by June 2026, with major works including accommodation camps, feeder lines, and pump stations progressing as scheduled. The $5 billion project, implemented by TotalEnergies, CNOOC Uganda, UNOC, and TPDC, will become the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline, connecting Uganda’s Albertine Graben to global markets via the Indian Ocean—a pivotal leap forward for East Africa’s energy future.