Crude oil pipeline slips into sea at Chennai Port

A pipeline meant for carrying crude oil from Bharathi Dock in Chennai Port to the refinery of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) at suburban Manali, slipped from its trestle and fell into the sea this morning.

The 30-inch, 580 metres long pipeline is now under water. There is no cause for anxiety regarding oil seepage as there were no ships berthed at the time of the incident, according to Chennai Port officials.

According to preliminary enquiries, the supporting structure had worn out due to corrosion, leading to further damages. The port is assessing the damages and has initiated action for the speedy restoration of the pipeline. The Chennai port, which owns and operates the pipeline, is expected to repair the pipeline in a week's time.

A Kasturi Rangan, director - operations, CPCL, told Business Standard that the production at CPCL would not be disrupted for the moment, as the company had a crude oil stock for the next 15 days. "We are lucky that we have enough stock for the next couple of weeks," he said.

He also said that the company had a meeting with port authorities and would assist in the speedy restoration of the pipeline.

The chairman, Chennai Port, has ordered for a detailed enquiry about the incident.