Underground oil pipeline: CPSTL calls for tenders

The Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd (CPSTL) has called for bids for the laying of a section of an underground pipeline across the rail tracks at Orugodawatta.

According to the tender published in newspapers and in the CPSTL website, the work consists of connecting of a 24-inch DIA steel casing pipe (approximately 34m minimum length) supplied by CPSTL in 12m-length externally coated pipes under the rail crossing at Orugodawatta, by using trenchless methodology such as micro tunneling. Closing date for bids is Jan.11.

Micro tunneling is a digging technique used to construct small tunnels. The pipeline will thus go under the rail tracks. CPSTL sources said it is part of an effort to re-link the Kelanitissa Power Plant to the Colombo Port. At present a 10- inch pipeline only connects the CPSTL storage facility at Kolonnawa to the Kelanitissa Power Plant. The section connecting Kelanitissa to the Colombo Port was earlier abandoned. Oil to Kelanitissa is currently transported in tankers.

Last week, the Sunday Times reported how concerns have been raised for sometime regarding the condition of the single functioning pipeline taking fuel from Colombo Port to Kolonnawa. This 10-inch pipeline is almost 80-years-old and is prone to leaks, but is the only pipeline transporting refined diesel, petrol and aviation fuel. Work on repairing another 12-inch pipeline connecting Colombo Port to Kolonnawa has been ongoing since 2015. While 80% of the work has been completed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), a tender must be awarded for the section to be laid underground, including under the Orugodawatta rail tracks. Though tenders for this section were called in February, last year, it is yet to be awarded by the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee (CAPC).

While the aim is to use the Orugodawatta section to connect Kelanitissa to Colombo Port, CPSTL also believes that section can be connected to this same pipeline yet to be completed due to the delay in awarding the tender.

D. J. Rajakaruna, Convener of the CPC Trade Union Collective, stated that the new tender seemed to be a way of trying to ensure that authorities avoid further delay in completing the 12- inch pipeline. “It’s true that the Orugodawatta section can even be used for the pipeline from Colombo Port to Kolonnawa or, even the new cross- country pipeline that’s being developed. This is not a bad move, as we really need to get that pipeline completed, given that, the only existing one is in a dilapidated condition,” he remarked.