Council investigates 'enforcement action' against pipeline breakers

Friday, 22 September 2017

Photos reveal the extent of the damage to New Zealand's jet fuel pipeline. Video first published 19 October 2017.

The extent of pipeline damage which crippled New Zealand air travel has been revealed by new photos.

Diagrammed photos show the damage believed to have been caused by a digger to Refining NZ's 170km Marsden Point, Northland to Wiri, Auckland fuel pipeline.

Meanwhile, investigations into what action to take against those responsible, for causing last Thursday's break resulting in 70,000 litres of jet fuel leaking, is about to begin.

Northland Regional Council is soon to shift priorities onto considering 'further action' including 'enforcement action'.

**READ MORE:

The peeled back protective layer on the fuel pipe, believed caused by a digger blade, is clearly visible.

* Too many incidents like pipeline cut

* Pipeline break disrupts air travel

University of Auckland law professor Bill Hodge believed Refining NZ could have a good case against whoever caused the leak.

* Digger blamed for pipeline cut|

* Questions pile up for Refining NZ**

Workers scrambled to contain the 70,000 litre pipeline fuel leak before making still to be completed repairs.

A spokesman said the council has been busy helping clean-up the fuel spill.

But 'council's focus in the coming week or two will shift towards investigation of the circumstances leading up to the leak,' the spokesman said.

Energy minister Judith Collins is expected to provide an update Friday afternoon on efforts to resolve the pipeline disruption.

Earlier the spokesman said, the 'council's costs have not yet been tallied but obviously will run to at least several thousand dollars.'

Northland Regional Council has 'refused to comment any further' on the details of its investigation.

Refining NZ believes a digger blade scored the 30cm pipe, scraping away an anti-corrosion layer in an action that eventually led to the pipe break and the closure of the 170km Marsden Point to Auckland fuel line.

Auckland airport had cut airlines' fuel allocation by 70 per cent disrupting thousands of air traveller's plans.

For a time some Auckland petrol stations ran out of 95 octane fuel.

Airline's fuel allocation has now risen to 50 per cent of normal levels.

Energy minister Judith Collins is expected to provide an update Friday afternoon on efforts to resolve the pipeline disruption.

Infrastructure NZ chief executive Stephen Selwood slammed the pipeline's failure.

'We've seen too many incidents like this right around the country, the Penrose motorway overbridge, power line cuts …. .'

The pipeline rupture would probably cost the economy 'tens of millions' of dollars, Selwood said.

University of Auckland law professor Bill Hodge believed Refining NZ, which estimates it has lost about $15 million because of the cut, could have a good case against whoever caused the leak.

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