Summary and Background Part 4: Government Pipe-Line and Storage System
44.The government pipe-line and storage system consists of around 2,500 kilometres of cross-country pipelines of differing diameters, together with storage depots, associated pumping stations, receipt and delivery facilities and other ancillary equipment. The system receives, stores, transports and delivers light oil petroleum products for military and civil users. In peacetime the military use amounts to only around 10% of the current throughput and 30% of the storage capacity of the system. It distributes 40% of aviation fuel within the United Kingdom.
45.The powers under which the system was constructed and under which rights were acquired in relation to it were many and various. Elements of the system were constructed on, or under, what was, or remains, publicly owned or acquired land. Much of the system, however, was constructed on or under private land. Some elements of the system were constructed on or under private land under statutory powers. Other elements were built by agreement with the landowner at the time.
46.Part 4 makes provision relating to the government pipe-line and storage system, in particular: the rights of the Secretary of State in relation to that system; registration of those rights; compensation in respect of the creation of new rights or the exercise of rights; that the rights may be transferred; and, the application of the Pipe-lines Act 1962 to the system.