Ministry to save US $ 200,000 per tanker:

Pumping oil through new pipe line system

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Petroleum Industries Ministry will be able to save US $ 200,000 (per one ship) by pumping oil from tankers using the newly built pipe line system at Muthurajawela, a Petroleum Industries Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha will shortly open the newly built pipe line system at Muthurajawela. The new pipe line system was built at a cost of US $ 64 million during a one year. The storage facilities at Muthurajawela oil storage complex has also been increased. The storage complex will be able to store oil required for 30 days. The new pipe line system has been built between a location at sea (six kilometres away from land) and the Muthurajawela oil storage complex.

Oil transported to the Kerawalapitiya power station by bowsers but with the building of this pipe line, oil can be transported to the Kerawalapitiya power station directly through pipes, he said.

After opening the pipe lines, a major part of the oil transportation activities will be done through the Muthurajawela oil storage complex reducing the work load of the Kolonnawa oil storage complex. Traffic congestion in the Kolonnawa area will be eased after the opening of the new pipe line system at Muthurajawela, he added.