1 Oct 2017

Fuel industry not prioritising review into rupture

2:59 pm on 1 October 2017

A fuel industry representative says the industry is prioritising maintaining air and ground fuel stocks in Auckland rather than a review into how the supply pipeline was ruptured.

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Photo: 123RF

The only fuel pipeline from the Marsden Point refinery to Auckland was out of action for 10 days after it ruptured last month, forcing airlines to cut domestic and international flights.

The pipeline is now operating at 80 percent of its usual capacity, while fuel stocks at Auckland Airport are back to normal levels.

An industry spokesperson, Andrew McNaught, said the rupture was the first in the pipeline's 32-year history.

He said the industry's contingency plans for such incidents were reviewed and updated regularly.

Last week, caretaker minister of energy and resources Judith Collins said a new government would decide whether there would be a formal review into the pipeline leak.

She said it was unclear how much fixing the pipeline would cost and it was too early to say whether an inquiry would be held.

Refining New Zealand believes the steel pipe was damaged by a digger before it ruptured, spilling 60,000 litres of jet fuel.

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