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(a) of the circumstances leading to the necessity for adoption of special arrangements for the distribution of fuel to airlines at Kai Tak airport immediately before Christmas last year;
(b) what is the prescribed minimum level of fuel supply at the airport and whether the level of supply will be increased upon the commissioning of a new fuel tank; and
(c) what is the present progress regarding the project to construct additional fuel receiving facilities; and whether the commencement of the project has been delayed, and if so, what the reasons are?
Reply:
(a) On 27 December 1995, the management of the Oil Companies Tank Farm at Kai Tak airport advised the Director of Civil Aviation that scheduled deliveries of aviation fuel from Singapore to the Tsing Yi oil depots would be delayed by 2-3 days because heavy seas on the delivery route required the oil companies' tankers to reduce speed. Consequently the total stock of aviation fuel in Hong Kong fell below the usual level maintained by the oil companies. Fuel rationing at Kai Tai airport was put into effect on that date and lifted on 2 January 1996 upon arrival of the tankers and replenishment of stocks.
(b) The oil companies supply aviation fuel continuously from the Tsing Yi oil depots so as to maintain the stock at the airport close to the maximum level of about 27000 cubic metres, which is equivalent to 2.7 days' consumption. A new fuel tank is expected to be commissioned in March 1996. This will increase the total storage capacity at Kai Tak to 35000 cubic metres, which is equivalent to 3.5 days* consumption.
(c) The additional fuel receiving facilities currently being constructed by the oil companies at Kai Tak comprise the new fuel tank mentioned in (b) above and a second dolphin for off-loading fuel from barges. Construction of the new dolphin was due to commence in September 1995 but has been delayed due to objections raised by a utility company, which has expressed concern that the works may affect a submarine gas pipe. Discussions are under way between the companies concerned to resolve the
matter.
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