[Audio] Silently protecting oil pipelines

The "diagram" of the oil pipeline is firmly held by Mr. Hieu in the palm of his hand.

Oil pipelines are likened to the "black blood" - the lifeblood of the economy. The people who guard oil pipelines silently contribute to ensuring the smooth flow of energy.

In Hai Duong, the task of protecting the petroleum pipeline is assigned to the K132 Petroleum Logistics Enterprise.

The "bloodline" of the economy

One morning in mid-August, we had the opportunity to follow Ms. Vu Thi Thu (born in 1991, in Binh Han ward, Hai Duong city) to inspect the petroleum pipeline near the Han bridge approach road. Ms. Thu was assigned to be in charge of nearly 5 km of petroleum pipeline from Nam Sach town to Minh Tan commune (in the same Nam Sach district). Once a day, she had to inspect points on the system, and sensitive points had to be inspected once more. The task of people like Ms. Thu is to conduct regular inspections to promptly detect and prevent pipeline incidents and violations of safety distance regulations, to prevent unfortunate incidents from happening. The petroleum pipeline system requires a very strict level of safety and must be put first. Because it is buried underground at a depth of 0.8-1 m, the person guarding the petroleum pipeline must determine the "heart" of the pipeline and locate the safety corridor. According to Ms. Thu, one of the things that pipeline security guards worry about the most is problems. With expertise, professionalism and extensive experience, security guards must quickly detect leaks by smelling gasoline fumes or observing if there is water in the area, there will be scum. 365 days a year, security guards must maintain patrol regardless of rain or shine, holidays or Tet.

Mr. Dang Van Hieu (born in 1972), Head of Security Team TB9 of Petroleum Warehouse Enterprise K132, has nearly 20 years of experience in the profession. Closing his eyes, Mr. Hieu can visualize the diagram of the pipeline he is in charge of. Mr. Hieu shared that in addition to having a thorough understanding of expertise and experience, a petroleum pipeline security guard must also promote independence, have a high sense of responsibility and responsibility in his work. Close to the people, have good relations with local authorities to promptly grasp socio-economic development plans, see what activities can affect the pipeline such as construction works, projects, dredging canals... "Each guard is responsible for building 5 security bases evenly distributed on the pipeline in charge. These people can be village leaders, people working to ensure security and order, people living near the pipeline area. This team provides effective support, promptly grasps the current situation, helps detect incidents and abnormalities, and can coordinate to mobilize the "4 on-site" plan when an incident occurs that needs to be handled," said Mr. Hieu.

The guard is responsible for regular patrols and inspections to ensure safe operation of the pipeline.

The petroleum pipeline system managed by the K132 Petroleum Logistics Enterprise stretches over 130km through the provinces and cities of Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Hanoi and Ha Nam. This pipeline passes through many complex terrains such as rivers, lakes, ponds, through villages, urban areas, etc.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tai (born in 1972), Captain of the Security Team of the K132 Petroleum Warehouse Enterprise, among the popular modes of transport today, which are road, rail, waterway, air and pipeline, the method of transporting petroleum by pipeline has the absolute advantage. Not only does it bring economic benefits and ensure fire prevention and fighting requirements, but the greatest advantage is the reserve. If the tank depots run out of petroleum, the amount of petroleum in the pipeline can last for 5-10 days. Every year, the K132 Petroleum Warehouse Enterprise conducts technical inspections and assessments of the pipeline. In which, it focuses on checking the depth of the pipe, thickness, coating, electrochemical anti-corrosion system, etc.

Currently, the K132 Petroleum Logistics Enterprise has implemented a process of modernizing patrol and protection activities using a specialized application in SmartGuard monitoring. Thereby, the work of patrolling and protecting petroleum pipelines is carried out seamlessly and smoothly. All data from the pipeline systems is continuously updated. Every year, the K132 Petroleum Logistics Enterprise coordinates to sign a contract of responsibility for protecting the safety of petroleum pipelines passing through the area. At the same time, the pipeline protection force has coordinated with the Party Committee, the government, the Fatherland Front and local organizations and unions to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people to raise their sense of responsibility in protecting the safety of petroleum works.

Everlasting memories

Mr. Nguyen Van Tai said that when requested, within 15 minutes, the guards must be present on the line, responding quickly in a short time. Not only do they take on the work in the section of the line they are in charge of, but they also support, shoulder, and help each other between lines when coordination is required. Currently, there are 26 people on duty to protect the pipeline, each person is in charge of more than 5 km on average.

Pipeline security officers of the K132 Petroleum Logistics Enterprise presented an open letter to the people, encouraging them to protect the petroleum project together (photo provided by the facility).

During his career, Mr. Tai has experienced countless happy and sad memories. Mr. Tai said that before 1993, people did not fully understand the importance of oil pipelines. Some people, out of greed, drilled and chiseled the pipelines to get oil for use. This seriously threatened the safety of the pipelines. There were times in the middle of the night when Mr. Tai had to swim across the river to check the drilled and chiseled spots on the pipelines. Since 1993, the Government has issued decrees on the safety of oil projects, creating a legal corridor, increasing deterrence against acts of sabotage of oil pipelines, and strictly regulating responsibilities in the protection of oil pipelines. Through propaganda sessions on loudspeaker systems in localities where oil pipelines pass through, times when pipeline guards conduct mass mobilization work, open letters sent directly to ship owners anchored on the river... people have raised awareness of the importance of oil pipelines and they understand that they have a responsibility to join hands to protect this special state project.

There were times when the pipeline had problems, and Mr. Tai and his colleagues had to deal with them until noon. In the middle of a deserted field with no shops, what surprised and touched him was that people brought him food and drinks to help him. Once, he and his colleagues felt almost exhausted from fatigue while performing their duties in the middle of the field, when a farmer who was taking care of a watermelon field nearby cut a watermelon and offered it to the two of them. For Mr. Tai, that was the sweetest piece of watermelon because it contained the affection, attachment and understanding of the people. Those stories and memories were the motivation that helped Mr. Tai and many colleagues overcome difficulties and hardships, and love and be more attached to this meaningful but equally difficult job.

After 7 years of working, Ms. Thu still remembers the leaking valve neck incident at the Hv51 valve house a few years ago. The valve house is located at river crossing points and intersections when necessary, so that when there is an incident or periodic maintenance, the valve can be opened and closed during operation and pumping of goods. While patrolling the route, Ms. Thu discovered that the valve house area had oil stains on the ground, then she immediately reported it to the K132 Petroleum Warehouse Enterprise. The enterprise sent a technical team down to handle the situation. The zoning work was quickly carried out to prevent people from entering, which could cause fire and explosion risks. The pump operation was temporarily stopped to drain all the oil in the pipe section, then the pipe was cut to be welded and connected. The work was handled continuously from 10 am until the end of the night to be completed.

Ms. Thu said that one of the things that makes her happiest is that people proactively discuss, chat, and ask for advice on some things such as planting trees, expanding production areas, constructing works, etc. to avoid violating the safety corridor of the oil and gas pipeline. People promptly reported to us many phenomena of construction works encroaching on the safety corridor of the pipeline so that they could promptly resolve and fix them. "Sometimes, just seeing their silhouettes, the farmers asked: Is that Ms. Thu, the oil and gas worker? Those joys, though small, become a source of encouragement for us to not mind the sun, rain, storms, and night to carry out our tasks well."

HUYEN TRANG