Durban-to-Johannesburg Pipeline

This article is part of the Global Fossil Infrastructure Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.

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Durban-to-Johannesburg Pipeline is an oil pipeline in South Africa.

Location

The pipeline runs from Durban to Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Project Details

• Operator: TransNet
• Current capacity: 52,000 barrels per day
• Proposed capacity:
• Length: 570 kilometers
• Status: Operating
• Start Year: 1965

Background

The Durban-to-Johannesburg pipeline was completed in 1965 and is owned by TransNet. The pipeline transports refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel and gas. It is being replaced by the New Multi-Products Pipeline, commissioned in 2012. The pipeline is planned for retirement.

Spills

In December 2014, a leak sprung from the 1965 pipeline in Hillcrest, West of Durban. The pipeline spilled over 200,000 liters of oil in an semi-urban area of Durban. The pipeline was four years overdue for decommission when the leak burst from a corroded well line. The reason for the new pipeline's delay in replacing the older, corroded and outdated 1965 pipeline was that it had to be rerouted late in the development stage coupled with delays in the construction of two terminals. The original pipeline that burst lies beneath white, wealthy neighborhoods in the areas surrounding Durban. The New Multi-Products Pipeline was rerouted after protest from the Hillcrest community. However, the new pipeline was subsequently rerouted to go through poorer, predominantly black neighborhoods.