Refinery to Auckland pipeline outage update

Refinery to Auckland pipeline outage update – Tuesday 26 September 2017

The first truck load of jet fuel loaded from a converted chemical tank at Wynyard Wharf arrived at Auckland Airport yesterday, ahead of schedule, marking another milestone in the process of managing fuel supplies following the 10-day outage of the Refinery to Auckland pipeline.

Andrew McNaught, representing the customers of the refinery, said the development was further evidence of the efforts the fuel industry has gone to in order to deliver fuel into Auckland.

“The Wynyard tank was previously a chemical tank that was safely converted to provide another trucking supply point for jet fuel into Auckland Airport. This was delivered in addition to the commissioning of a new jet fuel truck loading facility at Refining New Zealand in Whangarei.

“Jet fuel will continue to be trucked to Auckland Airport both from the Whangarei terminal by BP and Mobil, and, as of yesterday, by BP from Wynyard Wharf. This delivery of jet fuel supplements the concerted effort of trucking petrol and diesel into Auckland from three supply points: Whangarei, Mount Maunganui and Wynyard Wharf.”

Andrew McNaught said the Wynyard Wharf delivery was particularly pleasing given the rigorous steps that had to be followed in order to ensure 100 per cent compliance with global jet fuel standards.

“Over the weekend NZTA approved a range of additional exemptions that will enable further trucks to load to maximum capacities – approximately 10 tonnes of fuel more per load than previously permitted – in order to support the continued trucking of fuel to Auckland.

“This will make a real difference and I want to acknowledge and thank the team at NZTA for their commitment to turning these applications around so quickly. This is another example as to how various organisations have worked so constructively and cooperatively together in order to ensure safe and reliable delivery of ground fuel supply to Auckland.”

Andrew McNaught said while there were many positives associated with the stakeholder response to the pipeline outage, it was important to note that the situation required continued management as fuel stocks recovered across all grades.

“As has been the case since the start of this outage, industry remains confident of delivering continued reliable supply to the Auckland market with minimal disruption.”

Andrew McNaught is the Manager of Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited and is the spokesperson representing the customers of Refining NZ.

ENDS

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