Vol. 462 No. 5
26 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a serious problem has arisen for householders and fuel distributors in the South of Ireland, in view of the freezing of domestic fuel oil in tanks and pipes; the action, if any, that has been taken to rectify this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4969/96]
64 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the guidelines, if any, he will issue in an effort to prevent oils and lubricants from freezing in severe weather. [4968/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 64 together.
Quality standards for oil products are set by the National Standards Authority of Ireland which reports to my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for commerce, science and technology. The aspects of the standards which relate to the problem of oils freezing in cold weather are the cloud point temperature above which wax crystals will not form and the cold filter pour point temperature above which the oil should flow despite the presence of wax crystals.
The national standard issued by the NSAI, IS251, specifies a cloud point of 0ºC and a cold filter pour point of -12ºC for winter grade gas oil. The Whitegate oil refinery produces gas oil to this specification all year round.
During two particularly cold spells in mid November and in late December, there were many instances reported of gas oil freezing. The Irish National Petroleum Corporation tested samples of gas oil which it had produced and independent testing verified that the oil was in conformity with the standards laid down in IS251. Because of the problems encountered, I asked the Minister with responsibility for commerce, science and technology to request the NSAI to undertake a review of the standard with a view to having an updated version, if necessary, in place before next winter. I understand this review is now in progress.
That oil meets the national standard does not guarantee operability in the absence of appropriate precautions to be taken by the final consumer. The NSAI has issued a leaflet detailing some simple precautions which should be taken such as the proper siting of tanks, insulation of exposed pipework and filters, and regular maintenance, etc., to avoid problems occurring at temperatures below -2ºC. The leaflet should be available from any oil distributor.
What is the temperature like in Government?
Warm, but not hot.
I was approached by many people who use oil during freezing weather. The Minister assured us that there was nothing wrong as far as the oil companies were concerned. I contacted the Whitegate refinery at the time and it admitted that many people had complained, particularly the oil distributors.
This problem was confined to the southern counties which are supplied by Whitegate oil refinery — the Dublin area which receives supplies from Milford Haven did not experience similar problems. There is a belief that Whitegate may be yielding too much of the commodity and that the oil used for home heating is affected. A similar problem arose about ten years ago in this area. Will the Minister give an assurance that there will not be a recurrence of the problem with Whitegate oil, particularly with a temperature of minus 12 degrees? To contrast the position with that in Scotland, the temperature there at that time ranged from minus 18 degrees to minus 28 degrees.
A considerable number of reports of oil freezing were received from areas supplied by Whitegate, but they were not confined only to that area. Similar reports were received from Dublin and Northern Ireland which are supplied by different refineries. The problem arises as a result of a substance, a form of anti-freeze, that is added to the oil to prevent it from freezing. That had the strange effect of being in order when tested at minus 12 degrees, which meets the required standard, but not at minus 5 degree to minus 8 degrees when it waxed up or froze. The scientists involved cannot explain why that occurred. The only possibility is that the containers may have fallen below that temperature for a short period, perhaps during chill from wind. I cannot give a guarantee, nor can any Minister, that this problem will not arise again. Temperatures may fall well below the level of operability.
Does the Minister remember that Michael O'Leary was able to handle such matters?
We are seeking to change the Irish standard from 0 degrees to minus 12 degrees to a standard of minus 1 degrees to minus 13 degrees, which would provide for a wider range of operability. There is no absolute guarantee that diesel and fuel oil will not freeze when temperatures are very low.
I appreciate that if the temperature falls to minus 20 degrees there would be considerable freezing of oil. Will the Minister give an assurance in terms of temperatures of 0 degrees to minus 12 degrees?
I am assured by the Irish National Petroleum Corporation, which operates Whitegate, and by the trade that as a result of the present review measures will be put in place to ensure freezing does not occur at the temperatures mentioned.
