Sinopec starts up north branch of Fujian oil products pipeline

China’s largest refiner Sinopec Corp. started operating the north branch of its new 346-kilometer (km) oil products pipeline in southeastern Fujian province, according to a statement on the company’s website. Sinopec’s pipeline starts at the 240,000-cubic meter storage tanks at Quangang in Quanzhou–linked to Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co.’s integrated complex — and extends to Putian and Fuzhou via the north branch, and to Jinjiang and Quanzhou via the south branch. The 3.8 million metric tons per year (MTPY) southern branch of the pipeline will transport oil products to 54,000 cu m tanks at Jinjiang city and 57,000 cu m tanks in Xiamen city. The 192-km south branch was expected to be completed by the end of September 2010, a Fujian-based newspaper reported. The 6 million MTPY pipeline project costs a total 1.7 billion yuan (US$249 million), and it will ensure a stable supply of gasoline, gasoil and jet fuel from FRPC to cities across the Fujian province, a local industry source said. (March 8, 2010)