CHATTOGRAM, Feb 02: The Single Point Mooring (SPM) which is being built at Maheshkhali upazila of Cox's Bazar district, is likely to be operational in August this year, an official said.
Most of the work of the China supported $550.40 million (over Tk 54.26 billion project) has been completed now, Project Director Sharif Hasnat told the FE recently.
He said after suspension of work due to coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown last year, work resumed in full swing last month.
Activities to install the imported buoy which arrived from China on November 10 in 2021, are going on in full gear since January this year, he informed.
He said the double pipeline under the sea-bed was set up in the last few months.
"Despite works were hampered amid the pandemic last year, everything is continuing without any interruption now," he said, adding the project is expected to be completed within the scheduled time and it may be operational this year.
China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Ltd (CPPECL) is working as Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor of the project while Germany-based ILF Consulting Engineers is engaged as consultant.
The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has taken up the project in 2012 to transport imported crude oil and other fuel/liquid energy to state-owned Eastern Refinery Ltd (ERL) at Patenga in Chattogram in order to reduce the transportation cost of fuel and also ensure prompt direct unloading of the liquid cargo from deep sea vessels.
After completing official process, the government awarded the contract of the project to Chinese state-owned China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP). BPC signed a contract with CPP on December 7, 2016, to implement the 'SPM with Double Pipeline' project costing $550.40 million.
Under the project, the SPM or single buoy mooring will be set up along with a 220-kilometre double pipeline, storage tanks and pump station at Maheshkhali. Besides, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and a fire fighting station will also be set up.
Officials stated that the Tk5,426.26 crore project is being implemented partially with Chinese fund. Of the total cost, Chinese Exim Bank is financing Tk4,293.12 crore, the Bangladesh government is providing Tk 1,021.19 crore while the rest Tk 111.95 crore being channeled by the BPC from its own fund.
The SPM will have an annual unloading capacity of 9.0 million metric tonnes. It will be able to unload 120,000 MT crude oil in 48 hours and 70,000 MT of diesel in 28 hours.
Under the project, three crude oil tanks (each having a net capacity of 50,000 m³) and three HSD tanks (each having net capacity of 30,000 m³) will be constructed.
Besides, main pumps, booster pumps and other pumps will be installed, a generator for power supply will be set up, housing facilities, administration and other buildings will be built, pegging system, custody metering system, security system and firefighting system will also be set up.
nazim07@yahoo.com