In Batangas, tests done on crucial fuel pipeline
BATANGAS CITY—Tests were done on a 117-kilometer pipeline that starts here and is a key component of fuel supply to millions of consumers in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Workers did the tests on pipeline owned by the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) after the Supreme Court temporarily lifted a writ of kalikasan that had shut the pipeline down following oil leaks traced to it in a Makati City condominium.
The writ had been issued in November last year but its temporary lifting has been recommended by the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS), UP Institute of Civil Engineering (UP-ICE) and Department of Energy (DOE).
“The lifting of the writ is only effective within 48 hours from the time of the pumping of the product along the pipeline which started today,” lawyer Faye Paredes, spokesperson of FPIC, said in a phone interview.
The test was done with the use of a device called “scraper pig” that passes through the pipeline to check if air is trapped in it and if it would be safe to reopen it for oil supply. Paredes said the first test showed air had been removed from the pipeline.
The scraper pig was used at the Shell refinery in Barangay San Isidro here and at the Caltex-Chevron refinery in San Pascual, Batangas, and was received at the Gabaldon Pumping Station in this city.
“Following the cleaning of the pipeline, another 24 to 36 hours is needed to stabilize the pressure along the pipeline,” Paredes said.
When the 24-36 hour period expires, the pressure-controlled leak test would be monitored in 10 sites, she said.
These are in San Jose, Batangas; Barangay Libjo, Batangas City; Barangay Concepcion, Batangas City; Barangay Makiling in Calamba, Laguna; Barangay San Cristobal in Calamba, Laguna; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Barangay Tumasa in Muntinlupa City; Barangay Cupang in Parañaque City; Magallanes in Makati City and Pandacan, Manila.
Paredes said these 10 sites were being closely monitored by the UP-NIGS, UP-ICE, SGS Phils Inc. and the DOE.
If any new leaks emerge during the monitoring, Paredes said “we have the right of way, patrol and emergency response procedures.”
Paredes expressed hope that the Supreme Court would permanently lift the writ of kalikasan.
Tankers have taken over the task of delivering fuel from Batangas refineries to Metro Manila.
