DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 281
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08 June 2012
281. Mr R A Lees (DA-KZN) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) With reference to the New Multi-Product Pipeline from Durban to
Gauteng, on which date was the first product pumped into the pipeline;
(2) Whether any foreign objects were found in the pipeline when the product
was pumped into it; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
what (a) were the details of the foreign objects found, (b) was the cost of
damage to plant and equipment caused by the foreign objects, (c) was the
cost of product that could not be used with or without further processing
as a result of the foreign objects, (d) what are the reasons for foreign
objects being in the pipeline and (e) who was responsible for leaving
and/or placing foreign objects in the pipeline;
(3) Whether those found responsible have or will be held accountable for
the costs of damage to plant equipment and contaminated product; if not,
why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CW379E
REPLY
(1) According to Tansnet, the process of filling the New Multi-Product
Pipeline (NMPP) commenced on 18 October 2011.
(2) Yes, some foreign objects were found in the pipeline when the product
was pumped into it.
(a) When commissioning a new pipeline such as the NMPP, some small
particle solids comprising of minor oxidation, dust, new pipe mill scale
and tanker vessel discharge debris can be anticipated. The levels of debris
experienced when commissioning the NMPP were within the acceptable levels
for a pipeline of this size and length.
(b-c) There was no cost for the damage to plant and equipment since the
debris was managed through the use of mainline strainers supplemented by
strainers (used to protect the plant during commissioning) up stream of
each mainline pump set. However, as expected, a number of the strainers
did suffer some damage.
(d) The reasons for foreign objects being in the pipeline are explained in
2(a) above.
(e) No one can be found or held responsible for leaving and/or placing
foreign objects in the pipeline as explained in 2(a) above.
(3) This is not applicable since the damage to the strainers is not
considered as damage to the plant.