Buncefield oil depot
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil storage and distribution |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | George Wimpey (constructed on behalf of BP and Shell-Mex) |
| Headquarters | Hemel Hempstead , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Storage and distribution of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel |
| Owner | Total (60%), Texaco (40%) |
Buncefield oil depot, officially known as the Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal and managed by Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd (HOSL), is an oil depot situated on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead, north of London, United Kingdom. In December 2005, a sequence of explosions triggered what became the largest fire in Europe since World War II.
Construction and operation
The facility was constructed in 1968 by George Wimpey on behalf of BP and Shell-Mex. It was connected via pipeline to Shell refineries located at Stanlow (Cheshire) and Shell Haven (Thurrock), facilitating the nationwide distribution of "white oil" products such as petrol and diesel.
To reduce transportation expenses, other depots supplied by pipelines were developed alongside Buncefield, allowing shared infrastructure among operators. However, coordinating multiple oil companies' workforce at a single location occasionally led to more complex industrial relations, as unionized employees could organize collective actions more effectively. In 1990, a new pipeline linked Buncefield with the Lindsey Oil Refinery in Humberside.
Prior to the 2005 incident—which destroyed more than a quarter of its facilities—Buncefield ranked as the fifth largest oil depot in the UK. Its pipeline network extended to Humberside, Merseyside, and major airports including Heathrow and Gatwick. The terminal was operated primarily by Total, holding a 60% stake, with Texaco owning 40%; both BP and Shell also utilized its storage capabilities. The depot’s capacity was approximately 60 million Imperial gallons (273 million litres), handling around 2.37 million tonnes of oil products yearly and filling roughly 400 tanker trucks each day.
In March 2008, BP revealed intentions to recommence certain operations at Buncefield, concentrating on supplying aviation fuel to Heathrow Airport. This reopening necessitated adherence to over fifty safety requirements, including refurbishment of storage tanks and installation of improved alarm systems.
The facility is divided into northern and southern zones: BP occupies the southern section; the northern area is further split into HOSL West, the BPA section, and HOSL East. Operators such as Texaco, Total, and Shell function within HOSL West and East, while aviation fuel storage is managed by the British Pipeline Agency (BPA) in its designated area. The fire predominantly affected the HOSL West and BPA regions.
See also
- CLH Pipeline System
- Esso Refinery, Milford Haven
- Oil terminals in the United Kingdom
- Grangemouth Refinery
- Industry and commerce in Hemel Hempstead
- 2009 Jaipur fire
External links
- Review of reports on Buncefield – Compiled by LINK Associates International
- Hertfordshire Oil Storage Ltd (HOSL) – Official site
- Guardian Unlimited Special report: Oil depot explosion – Collection by The Guardian of articles, pictures, and an interactive guide