Should Uganda and Kenya finally build a crude oil export pipeline, it will be the longest heated such facility in the world.
According to a report released last month by Tullow Oil Plc, both countries have agreed to build the pipeline and have commenced a comprehensive study on the pipeline.
“Tullow and its partners have agreed with the government of Kenya to commence development studies. In addition, the partnership is involved in a comprehensive study for an export pipeline,” the Tullow Oil Plc annual report 2013 reads.
According to the report, the export pipeline route on the Kenyan side is expected to run mostly underground, over 850 kilometres from the Lokichar basin to the coast. Kenya is to construct the pipeline from Lokichar basin while Uganda is expected to construct its part of the pipeline from the Lake Albert rift basin to link up with the Kenyan pipeline and another from South Sudan to Lamu.
“As the waxy crude oil found in Kenya solidifies at ambient temperatures, the pipeline will contain a specialized heating system to keep [the oil] flowing. Once built, the pipeline will be the longest heated pipeline in the world,” the report reads. The entire pipeline is estimated to be 1,380-kilometre long.
Dozith Abeinomugisha, a principal geologist at the Petroleum Exploration and Production department, recently said details and actual designs of the export pipeline would be done later. In Kenya, Tullow has drilled seven wells in the south Lokichar basin, hitting 600 million barrels of oil. Tullow says exploration, appraisal and development programmes will run concurrently.
