Esso, the UK unit of oil giant Exxon, had shut a
pipeline running from its Fawley oil refinery near Southampton for checks. More than 30,000 liters of fuel was stolen, that would be worth about 41,000 pounds at pump prices. Two suspects have been arrested after thieves tapped into one of the country’s main underground transit routes.
“Esso is committed to the very highest standards of safety. The pipeline has therefore been closed down and our specialists are working to check it and, if necessary, effect any repair,” the company said. A company spokesman said Esso did not expect its retail customers to be affected by the pipeline closure.
Police found a stash of diesel they believe was siphoned off by the thieves. The two men who were arrested were 32 and 34 years old. Both were apprehended in Salisbury, southern England, on suspicion of conspiracy to steal fuel.
"Lines of enquiry include establishing the exact amount of fuel stolen and examining the suspected sophisticated method used in this alleged theft," police said in a statement.
The pipe, known as the Midline Pipeline, runs north, as far as Seisdon in Staffordshire, which is 155 miles (250 km) north of Southampton. The fuel was being stored safely and engineers from the refinery were working to retrieve it.
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