Govt moves to transport fuel oil thru pipeline

The government has initiated a move to implement a pipeline project involving over Tk 28.68 billion for transporting white petroleum from Chattogram to Dhaka and Chandpur, reports BSS.

"The Planning Commission has received a draft project proposal in this regard from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division," said a senior official.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is the implementing agency for the project titled 'Pipeline for transportation of white petroleum from Chattogram to Chandpur', he told BSS.

The project is scheduled to be implemented by June 2020, he said.

The 24 brigade construction of Bangladesh Army is the executing agency for the project, on behalf of Padma Oil Company Limited.

The project will be implemented at Chattogram City Corporation, Cumilla City Corporation, Bhatiary, Sitakundu, Mirersarai, Feni, Choddogram, Laksam, Borura, Kochua, Hajiganj, Chandpur Sadar, Narayanganj City Corporation, Siddhirganj, Fatullah and Gazaria.

The main project operations include detailed engineering design and drawing for underground petroleum oil pipeline from Chattogram to Dhaka and procurement of LPE coated pipeline, four high-powered pumps, valve and static and rotating equipment.

Other project operations are installation of 237.71km underground pipeline of 16-inch diameter from Chattogram to Godnail, 8.29km pipeline of 10-inch diameter from Godnail to Fatullah, and 59.23km pipeline of six-inch diameter from Cumilla to Chandpur.

According to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the annual demand for petroleum products in the country is 5.5 million tonnes.

The demand is growing day by day due to scarcity of gas.

The annual demand for fuel oil in Dhaka and the adjoining areas is 1.5 million tonnes.

Currently, fuel oil is being transported from the main depot in Chattogram to the depots in Godnail, Fatullah and Chandpur.

Once the project is implemented, fuel oil will be transported through pipeline.

At present, 90 per cent of fuel oil is being transported through waterways while the oil marketing companies use around 200 coastal oil tankers for carrying the oil.

But as navigability in waterways and rivers continues to decline, it has become difficult for marine oil tankers to transport oil at a fast pace.

Under this circumstance, the project has been drafted in a bid to transport fuel oil in a modern way and speedy manner.