The current aviation fuel crisis affecting Auckland looks set to continue until at least the start of next week.  After a pipe carrying fuel to Auckland burst last week, both the aviation industry and the wider transport sector have been under considerable strain to maintain flight services in and out of Auckland.  Refining NZ currently anticipates the pipe will be repaired between Sunday 24 and Tuesday 26 September, with an extra 30 hours needed thereafter to bring the pipe back online. In the meantime, the transport sector has been quick to respond with short-term options to bridge the crisis.

Last Thursday, operators at the Marsden Point Oil Refinery in Ruakaka, outside of Whāngārei, noticed a drop in pressure in the Refinery Auckland Pipeline (RAP) which pumps oil products to Wiri. It was discovered that the pipe was breached, and subsequently shut down. Current efforts are underway to repair the pipe, with experts and Government assistance being brought in, in an effort to expedite the repairs.

The RAP carries petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel products to a storage facility in Wiri, where it is then sent to petrol stations and Auckland Airport. Due to the quantities required (eight full tankers will only fuel one long-haul flight), trucking aviation fuel to Auckland from Whāngārei to cover the total shortfall is unfeasible.

The aviation industry swung into action last Friday when notified about the fuel cut off, activating emergency plans to cope with the crisis. Current safety policy means that Auckland Airport can only hold two days’ worth of aviation fuel reserves.  In the case of the fuel source being cut off, industry emergency plans restrict airline fuel allowances to 30% of usual allowances.  These restrictions have forced a number of flight cancellations as airlines consolidate their loads.

Flights leaving other New Zealand airports are now leaving with the maximum possible fuel to ensure they do not need to refuel in Auckland.  Long-haul flights from New Zealand are currently stopping in Australian and Pacific airports to refuel.  As a result of the latter, Pacific aviation fuel stocks have reportedly been severely run down.

At the same time, the Government has authorised departments to provide assistance to the industry to ensure security of supply.  The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has provided 20 drivers and two tankers to move fuel from Marsden Point to Auckland via road.  The NZDF have also tasked the HMNZS Endeavour to Marsden Point to move diesel fuel to other parts of the country to free up commercial tankers to transport aviation fuel and to restock fuel supplies around New Zealand. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has also issued a directive to public servants to avoid all non-essential travel.

In Auckland, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has also begun fast-tracking permits to allow fuel tankers to carry overweight loads, removing restrictions on fuel deliveries, and authorising fuel tankers to use bus and transit lanes.

Reports on Tuesday about some petrol stations in Auckland running out of 95 Octane fuel underscore the seriousness of the broken pipe.  Nevertheless, the Government and industry leaders say there is no cause for concern for domestic petrol or diesel supplies.

In preparation for a longer aviation fuel crisis, work is currently underway to investigate the conversion of chemical storage at Wynyard Dock to receive aviation fuel. Fuel will be sent via tanker to Auckland Airport with phasing of traffic lights being altered to ensure quick transfers.