Caltex said the 12.5 km pipeline, which services Sydney’s domestic and international aviation industry with a 4.8 ML/d capacity, is due to be completed by late 2011.
Caltex has said the upgrade project will double the capacity of the pipeline. The company said that previous preparatory works had readied the pipeline for this new two-phase improvement program.
The first phase of the program will involve a pumping upgrade at Kurnell Refinery to increase capacity, with a second phase providing an additional 2 km of pipeline parallel to the existing section, Caltex said.
Caltex General Manager of Supply and Distribution Ken James said the investment would contribute additional pipeline capacity to help meet the fuel needs of Sydney Airport until at least 2019.
“The pipeline upgrade represents an investment to support growth in our jet fuel marketing business,” Mr James said. “It will also provide efficient pipeline capacity, which can be made available to other fuel suppliers operating at Sydney Airport.”
Caltex has said that a contractor has not yet been chosen for the project, as the company has not yet finalised a timeline for the completion of detailed design work and a progression to tenders.
The pipeline connects Caltex’s Kurnell Refinery through Port Botany to Sydney Airport, and delivers jet fuel from both domestic production and imports.