Russia to start design work for construction of oil product pipeline in Congo in 2026 - Deputy Prime Minister

MOSCOW. April 30 (Interfax) - Russia will begin design work this year for the construction of an oil product pipeline in the Republic of the Congo under an agreement signed in 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Channel One.

"I think that design work will already begin this year and this project will be implemented on schedule," Novak said.

The Pointe-Noire - Loutete - Moluko-Tresho oil product pipeline that Russia plans to build in the African country under an intergovernmental agreement is supposed to go into operation by the end of 2029.

It was reported earlier that Russia is hoping to create a channel for shipping oil products that is protected from sanctions by building this pipeline in the Congo, as well as become a strategic partner in ensuring the energy security of the whole region.

The agreement on the project, which was signed in Moscow on September 28, 2024, provides for the creation of favorable conditions to carry out the pipeline's construction.

Under the agreement, the authorized organizations responsible for the implementation of the project are Zakneftegazstroy-Prometei LLC and the National Petroleum Company of Congo (SNPC), which is the client of the project. They will form a joint venture to carry out the project in which the Russian side will own a 90% stake and the Congolese side will hold 10%.

A build-own-operate-transfer concession agreement will be signed with the joint venture to build and operate the pipeline for 25 years, with a guaranteed price for transport that will ensure the utilization of the pipeline and a return on investment in the project.

The Russian ambassador to Congo, Georgy Chepik said earlier that the pipeline will run between the country's two largest cities, Pointe-Noire and the capital Brazzaville.