Damaged pipeline mystery deepens
The digger operator who damaged the fuel pipeline supplying Auckland would have almost certainly have known what he had done, says Refining NZ boss Sjoerd Post.
Refining NZ had ‘‘clear evidence’’ the pipeline that pipes fuel from the Marsden Point oil refinery had been struck, with digger teeth marks visible at the location of a 20-centimetre tear in the pipe.
‘‘It is very clear and independently confirmed by the Lloyds’ verifier that a digger has dented and scraped over the pipe with quite significant force,’’ Post said.
‘‘The damage could have occurred any time since the condition of the pipe was last tested by a scanner which was passed through the pipe in 2014.’’
Post acknowledged Refining NZ might have contributed to specu- lation that the fuel pipe was corroded at the point of the rupture, which occurred on Thursday, but said it did not have any evidence of that and ‘‘there may not have been a corrosion issue at all’’.
Rather the 170-kilometre pipeline was in excellent ‘‘almost pristine condition’’, he said.
Post said he was ‘‘pretty certain’’ the digger driver would have known what he had done, but said no-one had come forward.
‘‘No, and I actually worry about the person who did this; I think this person must be under tremendous emotional strain. It is pretty difficult not to hear a huge metal clank,’’ he said.
Post said there was ‘‘very clear signage’’ warning of the pipeline on a farm fence about 10 metres away from where it ruptured.
He said the pipeline was still scheduled to be repaired between midday Sunday and noon on Tuesday.