Inspection of Fuel Facilities: MoE UM inspected fuel facilities and oil refinery project

Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin, accompanied by responsible officials, inspected various sites on December 1st. The inspections included a meeting with officials from the Myanmar Fuel Oil Importers and Distributors Association conducting fuel import, storage, and distribution operations at Thilawa Port in Kyauktan Township, Yangon Region; observing the offloading of fuel from a foreign vessel, checking the status of test runs of power generators using regasified LNG, inspecting the pipeline connection work for crude oil and natural gas at the site of the new oil refinery project underway at No. (1) Refinery (Thanlyin), reviewing the progress of the new oil refinery project and visiting the Storage and Distribution Sub-Department (Thaketa).

First, the Union Minister and officials arrived at the fuel storage depot conducting import, storage, and distribution operations at Thilawa Port in Kyauktan Township, Yangon Region. In a meeting with officials from the Petroleum Products Inspection and Supervision Department and the Myanmar Fuel Oil Importers and Distributors Association, the Union Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring the quality and standards of fuel imported from abroad.

He noted that while efforts to implement technological monitoring and inspections within the fuel supply chain to prevent human-caused weaknesses have been underway for some time, practical implementation has not yet been seen. He stated that, first and foremost, Auto Tank Gauging (ATG) systems must be installed starting from the terminals.

He mentioned that strict monitoring and inspection along the supply chain is being carried out to ensure fuel transported by tanker trucks from storage depots to states and regions reaches designated retail outlets and locations correctly, and private business owners and organizations need to cooperate and participate.

He gave further instructions accordingly. Subsequently, the Union Minister and officials observed the offloading and storage of fuel from the foreign vessel and inspected the fuel distribution and stock status monitored from the Control Room via the installed Auto Tank Gauging (ATG) systems at the storage depots.

Necessary guidance was provided. Afterwards, the Union Minister and officils proceeded to the Floating Storage Unit (FSU) and the Regasification Unit docked at Thilawa Port. Responsible officials explained the ongoing operational status, and the Union Minister gave necessary guidance. The Union Minister then observed the test runs of power generators within the power plant compound, which produces electricity using regasified LNG from the FSU. Next, the Union Minister and officials arrived at the Myan Oil Terminal, where pipeline connection work is underway to link crude oil and natural gas pipelines from Thilawa Port to the Thanlyin Refinery for the new oil refinery project. Responsible officials explained the status of the pipeline connection operations for transporting crude oil and petroleum products. The Union Minister instructed that the pipeline work must be carried out in accordance with specified standards. The Union Minister and officials then proceeded to No. (1) Refinery (Thanlyin). Responsible officials explained the progress of the new Thanlyin Oil Refinery project and the status of the arrival and installation of machinery and related components transported from Thilawa Port. The Union Minister instructed them to coordinate and collaborate to ensure the swift completion of the new oil refinery in line with established standards. Finally, the Union Minister and officials visited the Storage and Distribution Sub-Department (Thaketa). They inspected the storage tanks and jetties within the sub-department. The Union Minister provided guidance on necessary requirements and toured the premises of the Storage and Distribution Sub-Department, it’s reported.