Commercial oil transportation via Ctg-Dhaka pipeline to start this yr

CHATTOGRAM, Sep 10: The commercial operation of the fuel oil transportation through the Chattogram-Dhaka oil pipeline will begin this year. The commissioning operation started on August 16, marking the beginning of a new era in oil transportation in the country.

Officials from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) have stated that the commercial operation of the pipeline has been delayed due to discrepancies found during trial runs.

However, these discrepancies are expected to be resolved soon, and commercial oil transportation is set to commence within two months.

The pipeline, with the capacity to transport 3.0 million tonnes of fuel oil annually, is projected to save Tk 1.50 billion in transportation costs each year. Previously, the fuel supply through the same route cost BPC around Tk 3.26 billion annually, mainly relying on private oil tankers that utilized waterways, roads, and railways.

During the trial run, the pipeline achieved a record of zero system loss, successfully supplying 50 million litres of diesel without any losses. This pipeline will enable the quick and safe delivery of oil from the reservoir to depots across the country.

The project was implemented by BPC through the 24 Engineering Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army. Initially planned in 2015, the government aimed to complete the pipeline by 2017 to reduce transportation costs and prevent theft.

BPC conducted a feasibility study and enlisted Engineers India Limited as consultants, leading to a policy decision to proceed with the project.

The 250 km Chattogram-Dhaka oil pipeline was designed to transport 2.7-3.0 million tonnes of fuel annually, with plans to increase the capacity to 5.0 million tonnes.

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