The existing 450 km pipeline runs from Mombasa to Nairobi and has been in operation since 1978. The pipeline has eight pumping stations, each with two pumps rated at 440 cubic metres per hour (cm/h).

In 2008, Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) commissioned four new pumping stations at Taru, Manayani, Makindu and Konza in order to improve the initial installed capacity of the pipeline, to 880 cm/h capacity between Mombasa and Nairobi, a demand that is projected to be needed by 2030.

According to KPC Managing Director Selest Kilinda, the new pipeline will meet the projected petroleum demand up to 2044.

The pipeline will be redesigned and the existing fire-fighting system upgraded to ensure swift, efficient and safe operations as well as rehabilitation of worn-out facilities.

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Petroleum accounts for 21 per cent of Kenya’s primary energy source. KPC said that the project “is strategic not only for the long-term financial stability of the company but also for ensuring reliable and adequate supply of petroleum products to western Kenya and the land-locked countries.”

In October 2011, KPC announced a call for tenders for a consultant to carry out detailed engineering design, prepare tender documents, and supervise implementation of the pipeline replacement project.

At the time, Mr Kilinda said “The consultant will be expected to design a replacement pipeline optimising the use of the existing pipeline facilities to meet the growing demand. The consultant will also carry out a technical and financial evaluation to determine the optimal pipe size considering the different demand scenarios.”

At the time of writing, a successful company was yet to be announced.

KPC is also currently constructing a parallel pipeline from Nairobi to Eldoret in order to enhance the system flow rate by 378 cm/h.