A fire at BP's Cherry Point refinery in Washington State Friday has exposed the vulnerability of the flow of jet fuel to Vancouver International Airport, says a consortium of airlines responsible for airport fuel supplies.
On this occasion the fire did not affect jet fuel supply, says a spokesman for the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC). But the incident underscores the consortium's case to build a new jet fuel terminal in South Richmond, which is a source of controversy.
The BP Cherry Point refinery near Blaine lost some of its crude-oil refining capacity after the fire broke out Friday. The refinery is one of only two sources of jet fuel for YVR, which is delivered by truck. The other is the Chevron refinery in Burrard Inlet, which provides jet fuel to YVR via the Trans Mountain pipeline.
VAFFC spokesman Ralph Eastman told Business in Vancouver that, according to U.S. media reports, the continued production of finished fuel products such as diesel, jet fuel and gasoline will not be affected.
"The deliveries of fuel were continuing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday," Eastman said. "[But] it makes the point that should something happen to one of the two sources of fuel for the airport – Cherry Point or Chevron – it's a potential problem."
VAFFC wants to build a new jet fuel terminal and tank farm on the south arm of the Fraser River, where Panamax fuel tankers from anywhere in the world could dock. The fuel would be piped to YVR via a 15-kilometre pipeline through Richmond.
Major airlines like Air Canada support the $100 million plan, but there is considerable opposition to it in Richmond. The plan is currently subject of a review by the Environmental Assessment Office.
VAFFC recently revised its plans, with a south-north route being moved east of the original route, which would have cut through residential areas. The revised route is along Highway 99.
The City of Richmond council is unanimously opposed to the project, saying the VAFFC has not adequately explored alternatives fuel delivery options.
