Bangchak Group Reports No Leakage Found in Inspection of Fuel Pipeline on Chuea Phloeng Road

Following earlier reports of oil contamination in the drainage system along Chuea Phloeng Road and beneath the Rama III elevated road, Bangkok Fuel Pipeline and Logistics Co., Ltd. (BFPL), a Bangchak Group company with the right to use and operate the fuel pipeline owned by BAFS Pipeline Transportation Co., Ltd. (BPT), immediately deployed personnel to the site upon being contacted on 7 September. The team has maintained a continuous 24-hour presence since then, working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and other agencies. BFPL also suspended pipeline operations on the morning of 8 September to ensure safety and allow a thorough inspection of the pipeline.

On 9 September, BFPL inspected the pipeline using Direct Current Voltage Gradient (DCVG), a technique for detecting anomalies in the external coating of underground pipelines. The inspection identified three locations requiring further excavation. All three locations were excavated and inspected on 10 September. Water mixed with oil was found at one location, but its source could not be determined. A pressure test was therefore conducted on 11 September to verify the pipeline's integrity and identify any leakage that might not have been visible during excavation. All inspections and tests were conducted in accordance with stringent safety and engineering standards and observed by representatives of the Ministry of Energy, the Department of Energy Business, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Khlong Toei District Office, the Pollution Control Department and other relevant agencies.

The pressure test was conducted within a controlled area. Pressure inside the pipeline was increased in stages from 10 barg (a unit measuring internal pipeline pressure relative to atmospheric pressure) to 28 barg, the pipeline’s normal operating pressure. The test pressure was maintained continuously for one hour, with readings monitored both on site and in the control room. The pipeline and surrounding area were also inspected throughout the test. If the pipeline had been leaking, an abnormal pressure drop or liquid seepage would have been detected.

The test results confirmed that there were no leakages in the fuel pipeline. There was no abnormal pressure drop, liquid seepage, or other evidence of leakage, and all readings, both at the site and in the control room, were within normal parameters.

BFPL will conduct further inspections using Short-Range and Long-Range Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Scans, which use high-frequency sound waves to detect abnormalities in the pipe wall, covering a one-kilometer section of the pipeline from the incident site. A Radar Scan will also be conducted, followed by an Intelligent Pig inspection next week to assess the internal condition of the pipeline in detail using advanced technology in accordance with international standards. The findings will be submitted to the Department of Energy Business for consideration before pipeline operations are permitted to resume. Meanwhile, BFPL will continue to monitor and inspect the system closely and support the work of government agencies.

Throughout the inspection process, Bangchak Group has provided support and assistance to residents, communities, businesses and all affected parties. A team has remained on site to provide continuous assistance and facilitate necessary arrangements, including food, drinking water and temporary accommodation where required. If the investigation confirms any damage or impact resulting from BFPL’s operations, the company is prepared to take full responsibility and provide appropriate and fair compensation to those affected. Bangchak Group has also implemented alternative transportation arrangements to maintain the continuity of product deliveries to customers and consumers.

Bangchak Group thanks the Ministry of Energy, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the State Railway of Thailand, and participating public- and private-sector organizations for providing expert teams to support the inspection and the ongoing management of the situation. The Group apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the inspection activities in the area and remains committed to supporting government agencies in determining the source of the oil contamination.