Port pipe for L.P.G.?

Press, 28 November 1979, Page 1

Port pipe for L.P.G.?

Lyttelton has been considered as one of the main import areas in the South Island for liquefied petroleum gas. Alternative sites in the borough already have been discussed by BP (N.Z.) Ltd, the Harbour Board, and the Borough Council. The possibility of piping the gas from the port is being considered. A spokesman for BP who has been appointed by the Government to work out proposals on behalf of a company to be called Liquegas, said from Wellington yesterday that

L.P.G. storage facilities at Lyttelton could be expected to hold several thousand tonnes of gas. The company was considering piping the gas through the Port Hills in the same way as petroleum products. A highgrade pipe would be used, and this would be the safest way to bring the gas from Lyttelton, he said. Liquegas Will be responsible for the bulk distribution of L.P.G. in New Zealand. Piping the dangerous gas would alleviate the fears of tunnel staff. They fear an explosion if a leak occurred in one of the road tankers that use the tunnel now. The staff will meet soon to discuss the use of the tunnel by tankers carrying L.P.G. and by L.P.G.-pow-ered cars. They have learned that British regulations ban cartage of the gas in road tunnels. However, the Dis-

trict Commissioner of Works (Mr P. F. Reynolds) said that because regulations were made in one country it did not follow that they should be copied in another. Circumstances varied, he said. The tunnel was closed to other vehicles while L.P.G. tankers were escorted through, after being inspected before entering, he said. They were allowed through during hours when few other vehicles were about. The Ministry of Works had recommended to the National Roads Board that a by-law be passed to stop L.P.G. tankers from using the tunnel. Already there was a by-law which prohibited petrol tankers, which had to use Evans Pass. Mr Reynolds said It could be argued that it was safer to allow L.P.G. tankers through the tunnel under escort than to allow them over Evans Pass.