Whitegate oil storage capacity
Whitegate holds 167,000 tonnes of crude oil and 356,000 tonnes of all oils. The Minister said the refinery is not required to hold minimum stocks; oil importers must carry at least 80 days’ stock, which he said was being done.
andMr. Brosnan asked the Minister for Transport and Power the storage capacity for crude oil at Whitegate oil refinery.
Comment on this
(Cavan): The total storage capacity for crude oil at Whitegate oil refinery is 167,000 tonnes.
Comment on this
Is the Minister satisfied that this complies with the EEC regulations in view of the total capacity of this oil refinery? The total refining capacity is 2½ million tonnes for 80 days and the figure given by the Minister falls far short of that.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that the total storage capacity for 80 days, based on their total refining capacity, should be between 500,000 and 600,000 tonnes?
Comment on this
(Cavan): I am not so aware. The Deputy asked a straight question and I have given him the answer that the total capacity of crude oil is 167,000 tonnes and for all oil is 356,000 tonnes.
Comment on this
Would the Minister not agree that, in order to comply with the EEC regulations order he made, Whitegate should have a total storage capacity of over 500,000 tonnes?
Comment on this
(Cavan): There is no obligation on the Irish Refining Company Limited to hold minimum stocks of crude oil or other oils at Whitegate. The responsibility for holding such stocks lies with the oil companies, such as Esso, Shell and so on. All oils importers are now required to carry not less than 80 days stock as from the 1st April, 1977, and I am satisfied that is being done.
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