The great East African Crude Oil Pipeline is now complete, and with it comes great promises in form of business opportunities for the member states. The pipeline stretches through 1,445km of land with a pipe diameter of 24-inch. It has effectively become the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world.
The project was possible through a multinational partnership that involved China National Offshore Oil Corporation Uganda, Total E&P Uganda, Tullow Oil Uganda, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, Uganda National Oil Company and the American firm Gulf Interstate Engineering.
The pipeline will serve members of the East African Community (EAC) and will hopefully form an integral part in boosting trade among the countries.
Local firms dealing with engineering, construction, and procurement are currently being invited to take up existing opportunities before the project is 100% concluded. The local firms are said will find worthwhile opportunities in the various sectors they deal with once the pipeline is fully up and running.
Gulf Interstate Engineering has sent out invites to firms to attend a conference where business opportunities subject to the pipeline will be discussed. The conference will mainly focus on various investment opportunities that would bolster the economy of the EAC members.
The project also plans to upgrade the pipeline running from the Albertine Graben to Tanga Port in Tanzania.