When we install the replacement pipeline, we commit to:
Investing in the
future
We (Esso Petroleum Company, Limited) launched our Southampton to London Pipeline Project late in 2017. The project proposes to replace 90km of our 105km aviation fuel pipeline that runs from our Fawley Refinery near Southampton, to our West London Terminal storage facility in Hounslow.
We recently completed public consultation on our preferred route for the replacement pipeline. This was the project’s second public consultation. Thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation: either downloading materials from our website, talking to members of the project team at one of the consultation events or providing us with their written feedback. This information is now being considered alongside engineering, environmental and planning factors. It will be used to refine the route of the replacement pipeline prior to our application for development consent. Please see our project timeline for more information regarding the next steps.
Please note, we will be publishing the results of the preferred route consultation on this website. Keep up-to-date with the progress of the project by signing up to our newsletter – please see the button at the end of this page.
We are continuing to work with organisations, communities, landowners and the public as the project progresses.
If you would like to view our Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
Project Commitments
Protect habitats by using a 10m working width when crossing boundaries between fields where there are hedgerows, trees or watercourses.
Avoid all areas of existing classified Ancient Woodland.
Reduce disruption to travel by using trenchless installation techniques for crossing trunk roads, motorways and railways.
Include remotely operated valves to enable sections of the pipeline to be isolated, if necessary.
Ensure that the principles of safe design have been incorporated into the design of the pipeline, as per Esso’s design standards for fuel pipelines, relevant industry codes of practice, and the requirements of the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996.
Reduce impacts on habitats and soil quality by typically using a standard working width of 30m for open cut trench installation in rural areas.
Protect waterways that are over 30m wide by using trenchless crossings.
Install ‘water stops’ to reduce the risk of underground water impacting on the materials that support the pipe.
Avoid installation in existing Source Protection Zone 1 (SPZ 1) areas to reduce impacts on sources of drinking water.
Monitor the operation of the pipeline 24 hours a day to detect any changes and remotely shut down the pipeline if needed.
