Esso says it is still working to reopen one of the UK’s main underground fuel pipeline after two men arrested on suspicion of theft of thousands of litres of fuel were released on bail.
Investigators discovered a tapping device on the main Esso Midline pipeline which transports vital oil and gas supplies from the South coast to Birmingham
Two men, aged 32 and 34, were arrested in Salisbury earlier this week after 30,000 litres of diesel was discovered in a barn on the border between Hampshire and Wiltshire last week. They were released today on bail until July 10.
“A tapping device has been found on the Esso Midline pipeline that transports fuel from the Fawley Refinery, Hampshire, to Birmingham Fuel Terminal,” said a spokesman for the oil firm.
“This follows the discovery by Hampshire Police last week of a store of fuel in a barn at West Wellow in Hampshire.
“The Esso Midline pipeline is secure and there has been no leak of product. The pipeline was closed as a precaution following the discovery of the fuel store.
“Esso is committed to the very highest standards of safety and our specialists are now working to remove the tapping device, and repair and test the pipeline and restore it to normal operations as soon as possible.”
A spokesman for the police said investigations were ongoing into the fuel discovery.