Russia plans to launch petroleum products pipeline in Congo by end of 2029

MOSCOW. Oct 15 (Interfax) - The Pointe-Noire - Loutete - Maloukou - Trechot petroleum products pipeline, which Russia plans to build in the Congo under the intergovernmental agreement between the two countries, is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2029, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Africa Partnership Department, Tatiana Dovgalenko, said during Russian Energy Week.

It was previously reported that Russia hopes to create a sanctions-protected channel for petroleum product supplies by building the petroleum products pipeline in the Congo, and also to gain the status of a strategic partner in ensuring the energy security of the entire region.

The agreement for the project was signed in Moscow on September 28, 2024, and provides for the creation of favorable conditions for implementing construction.

According to the document, the authorized organizations responsible for implementing the project are Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey LLC and the National Petroleum Company of the Congo (acting as the customer). They will create a joint venture, in which Russia will hold a 90% stake and the Congo 10%.

To implement the project, a concession agreement will be concluded in the form of build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) with the joint venture for constructing and operating the pipeline for 25 years, with a guaranteed tariff for pumping, which will ensure the pipeline's utilization and return on investment.

Previously, Russian Ambassador to the Congo Georgy Chepik said that the main pipeline would run between the largest cities of the African country - Pointe-Noire and the capital Brazzaville.