BANGKOK, Thailand – Bangchak Group said no leaks were found in a fuel pipeline along Chuea Phloeng Road in Klong Toey district following an inspection after thousands of litres of oil-contaminated wastewater were reported in the area, with the SET-listed energy conglomerate stating that inspections using several engineering techniques produced no abnormal results.

Authorities Rush to Prevent Oil Leak After Accident on Oil Storage Ship in The Gulf of Thailand

Bangchak owns Bangkok Fuel Pipeline and Logistics Co, which operates the pipeline owned by BAFS Pipeline Transportation Co, a subsidiary of Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc. The pipeline connects the Bangchak refinery to depots and major airports including Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. Personnel from the company were first deployed to the site, under the Rama III elevated bridge at the boundary between Klong Toey and Yannawa districts, on Monday to work with relevant agencies including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Ministry of Energy, and pipeline operations were suspended on Tuesday morning to allow a thorough inspection.

Energy ministry officials reported a possible leak in Klong Toey a day later after an initial inspection, and Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn subsequently sought to reassure residents, saying the oil contamination was caused by seepage from a pipeline rather than a major leak, with the seepage expected to be repaired and sealed afterwards. In its statement on Saturday, Bangchak said a technique called direct current voltage gradient was first used to detect anomalies in the external coating of the pipeline, and water mixed with oil was found at one location but its source could not be determined.

A pressure test was subsequently conducted within a controlled area to verify the pipeline’s integrity and identify any leaks that might not have been visible during excavation. According to the test results, the pressure inside the pipeline was increased in stages from 10 barg to 28 barg, the normal operating pressure, and maintained continuously for one hour, with the company stating that if the pipeline had been leaking, an abnormal pressure drop or liquid seepage would have been detected, and the test results confirmed there were no leakages in the fuel pipeline. All readings were consistent both at the site and in the control room.

Grounded fishing boat leaking oil off Phuket

Further inspections will be conducted, including short- and long-range ultrasonic testing, radar scanning and an intelligent pigging inspection, which involves sending a specialised device through a pipe to clean, measure or evaluate internal conditions without stopping the flow. If the investigation confirms any damage or impact resulting from BFPL’s operations, the company said it was prepared to take full responsibility and provide appropriate and fair compensation to those affected.

-Thailand News (TN)