Nigerian fuel tanker fire kills 92: witness

http://news.yahoo.com/nigerian-delta-fuel-tanker-fire-kills-92-witness-111632217.html

By Owolabi Tife and Austin Ekeinde

NIGER DELTA (Reuters) - At least 92 people including women and children were killed on Thursday after a gasoline tanker crashed on the east-west road in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta and caught fire as people tried to scoop up fuel, a Reuters witness said.

"Early this morning a tanker loaded with petrol fell in Okogbe and people trooped to the scene obviously to scoop the spilled fuel and suddenly there was fire resulting in casualties," Rivers State police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam said.

Ugwuegbulam said it was too early to give a casualty figure but a Reuters witness at the scene counted 92 dead bodies of men, women and children.

Hundreds of people crowded around as soldiers and emergency workers lifted bodies into ambulances and police trucks. The fuel tanker was a pile of smouldering ash, twisted metal and melting tyres.

Crashes are common on Nigeria's pot-holed and poorly maintained roads, and in a region where most people live on less than $2 a day the chance to collect spilling petrol is too much of a temptation, despite the high risk of fires.

The east-west road, which runs across the oil-producing region, has been scheduled for development for almost a decade and money is allocated for it in the budget each year.

Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer, is plagued by corruption and inefficiency. Most years only about half budgeted programmes are implemented.

New found support for Maine terminal

http://tankstoragemag.com/industry_news.php?item_id=5154

DCP Searsport's proposed liquefied propane gas (LPG) terminal and bulk storage tank in Searsport, Maine was the centre of much debate at a Rockford councillor meeting on 9 July.

Back in March councillors were considering sending a letter of concern to the Searsport Planning Board about DCP's proposed terminal. However, councillors seemed to do a U-turn at their most recent meeting, now supporting an increased use of propane to supply rural Maine.

The project will feature a 22.7 million (LPG) bulk storage tank, an LPG fuel storage tank, a one mile long pipeline, ship unloading facilities and four truck loading stations.

The LPG tank would reach 138 feet high, something that many residents say would damage the region's tourism industry. However, just one-third the size of FMC's nearby existing facility, and with a 300-foot tall silo already constructed under Dragon Products, councillor Larry Pritchett ensures the tank will not affect tourism.

But this is not the only concern that some have about the proposed terminal. They also fear it would bring increased volumes of traffic to their roads, as well as a high risk of incidents.

Rockland fire chief Charles Jordan Jr., however, believes an incident is unlikely, having not witnessed one at such a facility for 30 years. He says if such a problem were to occur, his personnel are trained in HAZMAT responses.

China accidents: Mine safety under the spotlight

Jet fuel prices reach October 2011 low

http://thefuelhandler.com/index.php/industry-news?item_id=5120

The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, in India fell on 30 June.

In Delhi, the commodity went from Rs.1,241 (€17.80) per kilolitre to Rs.61,169/kl – a drop of around 2% – which went into effect on 1 July.

The reduction is the sixth consecutive cut in rates since April when prices reached a record high of just over Rs.67,800. Prices are now level with those seen in October 2011.

The cost of jet fuel in the region reached an all-time high in August 2008 when it was priced at Rs.71,028.26/kl at a time when international oil rates hit $147 per barrel.

In Mumbai, the price slash saw fuel go from Rs.63,178/kl to Rs.61,934/kl on 3 July.

The revision will come as a relief to many cash-strapped Indian airlines that continue to shell out over 40% of their total operational costs on ATF.

Petrobras in chartering spree

http://www.tankeroperator.com/news/todisplaynews.asp?NewsID=3637

Period charters continued unabated, illustrated by Petrobras reportedly taking at least three tankers on long term charter for three year periods.

These included the Aframax ‘LMI Star’ at $15,200 per day, plus the MRs ‘Elka Delos’ and ‘Evros’ at $14,000 per day each.

Elsewhere, Morgan Stanley fixed the 2006-built MR2 ‘Maersk Marmara’ for 12 months at $13,500 per day, while NORDEN took the fellow Danish managed MR2 ‘Torm Helsingor’ for three years at $12,750 per day, as well as the ‘Nord Observer’ for 17 months at $12,200 per day, brokers reported.

In addition, Shell was believed to have fixed the MR ‘Maersk Mediterranean’ for 12 months at $13,500 per day.

Indian refiner Reliance reportedly took the 2002-built VLCC ‘Eagle Virginia’ for 12 months at $18,500 per day.

Leaving the fleet were the 1993-built Aframax ‘Pioneer’, reportedly sold to Pakistan breakers for $397 per ldt and the 1989-built VLCC ‘Sri Qadriah 1’, believed sold to Bangladesh recyclers at $416 per ldt.

Pakistan breakers were said to have taken the 1994-built Aframax ‘DHT Dania’, ex ‘Overseas Ania’, for $425 per ldt on the basis ‘as is’ Singapore with 400 tonnes of bunkers remaining on board.

The 1992-built Suezmax ‘ISI Olive’ was sold to Indian sub-continent buyers for $405 per ldt, while the 1989-built Aframax ‘Ratna Urvi’ was reportedly sold to Pakistan interests for $410 per ldt.

Finally, the 1994-built Aframax ‘Unity’ was believed to have been committed to Bangladesh recyclers on private terms.

Tanks catch fire after lightning strike

http://tankstoragemag.com/industry_news.php?item_id=5129

A fire broke out amongst three oil well tanks in Kentucky, US after they were hit by lightning.

The incident happened at around 10pm on 2 July and caused one tank lid to fly off, landing on the nearby US 41-Alternate in Webster County.

No one was injured and a recent tanker truck pick-up meant some oil had been pumped away from the site, reducing the fire hazard. Heavy rain also helped prevent the flames from spreading.

Homes were left without electricity, however, after the explosion damaged some power lines.

The US 41-A was closed for around three hours.

Iran's MPs debate Strait of Hormuz closure