New holding tanks boost to Sth Island fuel supply

New fuel holding tanks boost to South Island’s fuel supply

BP officially opened three new bulk fuel storage tanks at the Port of Lyttleton today, representing a $15 million investment in the South Island’s fuel infrastructure.

The three new bulk storage tanks which make up the ‘tank farm’ will increase the Port’s fuel capacity by over 30 per cent. The three eight million litre tanks will be used to store petrol, diesel and jet fuel.

BP Managing Director Peter Griffiths said the new tanks will provide South Island customers with a greater security of fuel supply into the future. “BP is delighted to officially open this new tank farm. The new tanks will increase the capacity to service growing customer demand for petrol and diesel across the Canterbury area, and for aviation customers at South Island airports,” he said.

“Lyttelton is the main location where BP stores fuel in the South Island and our previous tankage at Lyttelton was insufficient to adequately provide for BP’s customers into the future.”

Mr Griffiths said the construction of the tanks reflected BP’s commitments to health and safety in the workplace and to environmental best practice.

“During the 18 months and over 70,000 hours of construction time to complete these tanks we have not had a single lost time injury.”

The new tanks incorporate the safest and most modern design specifications. Each tank has a support base of 211 stone columns. These 14 metre deep columns are constructed from graded stone and are compacted into place. They stiffen and strengthen the soil, preventing ground failure and minimising tank settlement.

“As part of the latest design specifications we have installed a floating blanket in the petrol tank to further reduce vapour emissions,” he said.

BP will be donating the profit from the first truck-load of fuel delivered from these new tanks (in mid June) to the Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust.

“The Trust have spent many years doing amazing work to restore the natural environment of Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour, and our donation will go toward further pest eradication and prevention on the island,” he said.

A new pipeline from the wharf has also been built which allows speedy fuel transfer into the new tanks. The tanks are also connected by a new underground transfer pipeline, via a pumping station, to Mobil’s Lyttelton to Woolston pipeline.

Key facts and figures follow

There are three new tanks which will contain petrol, diesel and jet fuel;

Each tank has a capacity of approximately eight million litres;

The new tanks increase the fuel capacity of the Port by more than 30 per cent

The total project cost is approximately $15 million;

BP will donate the profit from the first truck-load of fuel to the Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust;

Each tank is 15 metres high and 28 metres round;

Construction started on 9 December 2002 and was completed this month;

Contractors worked over 70,000 man hours without any lost injury time;

The tanks use the most up to date technology. The petrol tank has a ‘floating blanket’ that will further reduce vapour emissions;

Each tank has 211 stone columns underneath it – similar to the technology used at Westpac Stadium in Wellington and at Jade Stadium in Christchurch;

BP will let a contract in the next few weeks to demolish two tanks on the old Europa compound;

The tanks will not contain fuel until the next schedule delivery in mid June.

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