Dhaka: The first-ever petroleum pipeline from the southeastern port city of Chattogram to the capital, Dhaka, is set to become operational by mid-August, according to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials. This significant development marks a new era in oil transportation within the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BPC officials announced the completion of the 250-kilometer-long oil pipeline, constructed at a cost of approximately Tk. 3,700 crore with the assistance of army sappers. The state-run corporation will oversee its operation and maintenance. The pipeline is expected to drastically reduce costs by minimizing pilferage and system loss, which are common during the loading and unloading processes of petroleum tankers.
BPC officials noted that the pipeline would also help reduce pollution. The infrastructure includes a 16-inch diameter pipe extending 241 kilometers from Patenga to Godnail in Narayanganj, with an additional depot at Fatullah linked through a separate 10-inch diameter pipeline. The pipeline traverses 22 rivers and canals, supported by nine pumping stations.
Previously, the Bangladesh-India Maitree Pipeline was established to import diesel from India. Currently, another pipeline is under construction to facilitate the unloading of crude oil from the sea. BPC officials highlighted that oil transportation via tankers from Chattogram to Narayanganj typically takes about 24 hours, whereas the new pipeline will reduce this to just four hours.
The financial benefits of the pipeline are substantial. BPC currently spends Tk. 326 crore annually on oil transportation between Chattogram and Dhaka. Once the pipeline is operational, this cost will drop to Tk. 90 crore, saving at least Tk. 226 crore each year. Additionally, the pipeline will mitigate issues related to pilferage and theft of oil.
The pipeline also addresses challenges posed by inclement weather, which often disrupts fuel oil transportation. The project was executed by the 24th Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army, incorporating a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and control the transportation process.
Bangladesh’s annual petroleum requirement is approximately 6.5 million tonnes. Of this, one million tonnes are imported from India through an existing pipeline, while the remainder is transported by oil tankers from Chattogram. The trial operation of the new pipeline was successfully conducted on June 24.
The pipeline will facilitate the transportation of fuel from the main tanks of BPC’s fuel marketing subsidiaries-Padma Oil Company, Meghna Petroleum, and Jamuna Oil Company-at Patenga Depot in Chattogram to their counterparts at Godnail Depot.