Tazama Pipeline Rupture Causes Low Sulphur Diesel Spillage in Mbeya, Tanzania
In a recent incident on Monday, May 15, 2023, at approximately 13:40 hours, the Tazama Pipeline in Mbeya, Tanzania experienced a rupture, resulting in the leakage of low sulfur diesel.
The Tazama Pipeline, jointly owned by the Governments of the Republic of Zambia and the United Republic of Tanzania, is a crucial 1,710 km petroleum pipeline responsible for transporting low sulfur diesel from Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania to Ndola in Zambia.
According to the details of the incident, the rupture occurred when a motor grader, contracted by the Tanzania Rural Roads Agency (TARURA), a government agency, was engaged in road works at Swaya, near M.U.S.T. Lyunga. The damage to the pipeline caused a spillage of low sulfur diesel.
Immediate action was taken following the incident. The TAZAMA monitoring system at the Mbeya pumping station detected the spillage and promptly initiated a line survey along the pipeline. Simultaneously, the Swaya ward councilor reported the incident to Tazama.
An emergency response team was swiftly organized and dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team quickly closed the valves on the pipeline, isolating the damaged section. Subsequently, the team commenced containment procedures, successfully clamping the leak temporarily at 23:00 hours.
Due to the extent of the damage inflicted on the pipeline, a complete maintenance team was dispatched from Dar es Salaam. Arriving at the site on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the team initiated full repairs to restore the pipeline.
Initial estimates suggest that approximately 1.0 million liters of low sulfur diesel may have been spilled. This accounts for about 0.9% of the low sulfur diesel stocks stored in Dar-es-Salaam and is not expected to significantly impact the supply of the product to the Zambian market.
Additionally, the transported product is insured against such losses. Further costs, including repairs, manpower and equipment mobilization, supervisory, and administrative expenses, will be assessed after the completion of repairs and demobilization.
It is assured that the full repair works will be completed by the end of today, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Following the repairs, environmental cleanup and site restoration activities will commence.
The Tazama pipeline management is commended for their swift response and professionalism in addressing the emergency situation. The Tanzanian authorities have also been appreciated for ensuring the safety of the community in the vicinity of the incident by securing the site.
And Hon. Eng. Peter C. Kapala (M.P), Zambia’s Minister of Energy, has expressed his confidence in the timely completion of the repair works.
He further reassured the public that the nation currently holds approximately 52.8 million liters of low sulfur diesel in storage, enough to last for 15 days. With the pipeline set to resume operations after the repairs and an adequate stock available in storage, no disruptions in the supply of low sulfur diesel are anticipated.
