By Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, back from Cox’s Bazar

DHAKA, Aug 25, 2021 (BSS) – With installation of the Single Point Mooring (SPM) having double pipeline facility to supply imported fuel at Moheshkhali island, the government will save at least Taka 800 crore per annum.

“Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) initiated the SPM project to carry fuel through pipelines from mother vessels quickly, which would also save Taka 800 crore per annum,” State Minister for Power Energy and Mineral Resources told BSS here today.

He hoped the SPM construction works will complete next year, adding, “Once the project is implemented, it would reduce oil pilferage and time for fuel oil supply across the country.”

“The Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna has instructed to install SPM to unload imported crude oil from deep sea in a more efficient and time-saving manner. The SPM will also ensure energy security in the country,” Nasrul Hamid added.

According to the project details, the overall progress of the SPM installation rose to 63.13 percent and the financial progress reached 53.54 percent so far.

The SPM is located at the west side of Maheshkhali island where 27-metre depth is available, which is sufficient for docking a large tanker of 120,000 DWT.

Talking to BSS, Senior Secretary of Energy Division Md Anisur Rahman said that unloading of crude oil and HSD from SPM will be done through two separate Ø36” pipelines (Offshore and Onshore) and will be stored into the storage tanks at Maheshkahli.

“The SPM will easily unload imported crude oil and finished products by 72 hours easily, which is now taking 11 days for unloading 100,000 DWT (Deadweight) tankers,” he said, adding that two separate lines for crude oil and HSD will eliminate significant product loss due to contamination if transported through single pipeline and ensure efficient and continuous transport of designed quantity of each product along the entire transport chain.

Anisur Rahman said that the crude oil and HSD stored at storage tanks in Maheshkhali will be pumped to Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) through two separate Ø18” pipelines (Offshore and Onshore).

“We have also undertaken projects to install Chattogram to Dhaka for uninterrupted supply of fuel, which will reduce transport cost, pilferage and wastage,” he said.   

Project Director of SPM with Double Pipeline Engineer Md Sharif Hasnat said that Chinese state-owned company China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Ltd. (CPPEC) is working as Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, while Germany based ILF Consulting Engineers is engaged as consultant.

“The estimated cost for the SPM project is around Taka 6568.27 crore, which is being financed by Chinese EXIM Bank. Under the project, there will be installations of SPM and 220 kilometer double pipeline, storage tanks and pump station at Moheshkhali. Besides, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), a fire fighting station, will be set up and related works done,” he said.

Hasnat said the main objectives of the project are to ensure unloading of imported crude oil and finished products with ease, with low cost and in short time, reducing the system loss in import of crude and finished products through lighterage operation, keeping balance between the growing demand of energy and its supply, enhancing the petroleum oil retention capacity through setting up of six diesel and crude oil storage tanks at Moheshkhali and increasing energy supply security.