OLPP to build diesel pipeline from Baltic sea to Plock

Due to inadequate infrastructure, the problem grew particularly acute last year when oil refineries and importers struggled to cope with surging demand. Diesel fuel consumption totaled 8.1 million tons last year, up 19% on 2005, and is expected to grow further this year. 2.5 million tons of diesel oil was imported into Poland last year, however, more will be needed in the future. "Of course Orlen and Lotos will be expanding their production capacities, but they will never be able to fully meet domestic demand," said Arkadiusz Siwko, OLPP CEO. "Talks are underway with potential customers, including Shell, BPO and Statoil." Both firms reportedly declared an interest in sourcing a combined 0.5 million tons of diesel oil per year through the new pipeline. The project, the first of its kind in Poland in more than a decade, is to start next year and become operational in 2011 at the earliest. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 8, 9) R.M.