POL PIPELINE DEVELOPMENTS, NORTH VIETNAM AND LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04560A006600010043-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2001
• Sequence Number: 43
• Publication Date: December 1, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved Fpr_Release 2001/11/05 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006600010043-6
PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION REPORT
POL PIPELINE DEVELOPMENTS,
NORTH VIETNAM AND LAOS
Declass Review by N I MA/DOD
GROUP 1: EXCLUDED FROM
AUTOMATIC DOWNGRADING
AND DECLASSIFICATION
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This document contains inrormation affecting
the national defense of the United States,
within the meaning of 't'itle 1,s, sections
793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as amended.
Its transmission or revelation of to contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is
prohihited by law.
Approved For Release 2001/11/05 : CIA-RDP78BO456OA006600010043-6
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POL PIPELINE DEVELOPMENTS,
NORTH VIETNAM AND LAOS
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION CENTER
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[11
I
'\Oli.'I'11
BAN LA LOU
?
(FIGS 4&5)
f BAN VAT
^ POL PIPE STORAGE AREA
POL PIPELINE
- SERVICEABLE ROAD
-----UNSERVICEABLE ROAD
I
I{'I(URE L. POL PIPELINE DEVELOPMENTS, NORTH VIETNAM AND LAOS
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Indications of North Vietnamese intentions to expand their POL pipeline
facilities into southern North Vietnam and probably Laos were first observed on
photography of Quantities of POL pipe were observed in the
Bat Lake region and in the Dong Hoi area, and Star-66 trucks carrying POL pipe
were identified at Bat Lake and on Route 1036 north of its junction with Route
1039. However, actual pipeline construction has not yet been observed in these
areas of North Vietnam. Late photography disclosed a. POL pipeline
at Ban La Lou, Laos, west of the DMZ; subsequent photography revealed the pipe-
line to be at least 2.1 nautical miles (nm) long and extending in a north-south
direction. Another approximately 800-meter (2 624-foot se segment of pipeline and
pipeline trace was observed on photography of southwest of the
existing segment. The pipeline at Ban La Lou has undergone heavy airstrikes and
is not considered operational; however, its existence indicated that the North
Vietnamese are attempting to develop a POL distribution system in the southern
Panhandle of North Vietnam extending into Laos.
First indications that the North Vietnamese were planning a POL distribution
system in the panhandle area appeared on photography of when
POL pipe storage was identified along Route 1036 in the a a e an ong Hoi
e 1). POL pipe sections were identified in storage on photography of
approximately 1 nm west-southwest of Bat Lake in at least six
separate locations, all within 1 nm of each other (Figures 1 and 2). In addition,
11 probable Star-66 trucks, six loaded with pipe sections, were observed in the
same area (Figures 1 and 3).
Star-66 trucks with similar pipe sections have been observed since -2 5X1 D
on Route 15 and in the Vinh area because of construction of a previously
identified operational i c system. Two pipe storage areas were also identified
near Dong Hoi in One area, 1.4 nm west of Dong Hoi, contained several
stacks of probable POL pipe. The other area, 3.5 nm south of Dong Hoi, contained
12 similar stacks of probable POL pipe sections.
Pipeline-related activities were also observed further south on Route 1036
in Two stacks of probable POL pipe similar to that
previously observed at Bat Lake were observed on photography of 25X1 D
along Route 1036, 8.1 nm southwest of Bat Lake. However, no POL pipeline was
evident. On photography of two probable Star-66 trucks were
carrying possible POL pipe south on Route 1036, 1.5 nm north of its junction with
Route 1039.
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FIGURE 2. POL PIPE STORAGE, BAT LAKE AREA, NORTH VIETNAM
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,TAR-66 TRUCK. WITH POL PIP
Ii'IGURE 1+. POL P1_PPELIE73 AND DRUM STORAGE AREA, BAN LA LOU, LAOS
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POSSIBLE BUNKER/PUMP STATION, BAN LA LOU, LAOS
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The first indication of actual. pipeline construction was observed in
_ A segment of POL pipeline was observed near Ban La Lou, Laos, 6.5 nm west
of the DMZ and 3.5 nm south-southeast of the point where Route 1039 crosses the
North Vietnam/Laos border. Subsequent photography revealed the segment to extend
2.1 nm along the west bank of the Houay La Lou (stream) in a north-south
direction. A POL drum storage area containing approximately 200 drums and a
possible bunker were observed at the southern end of the segment (Figure Lt).
Another possible bunker/pumping station was observed just north of the drum
storage area. A single pipeline enters this station (Figure 5).
Available photography and heavy tree canopy prevent determining the
direction and northern origin. of the pipeline segment. However, photography of
revealed an approximately 800-meter (2,62+-foot) segment of
probable pipeline or pipeline trace 2.1 nm southwest of the Ban La Lou segment
near Ban Vat, indicating a further westward extension along the river.
The Laotian pipeline segment has undergone heavy airstrikes and is con-
sidered not operational. However, its existence is an indication of North
Vietnamese intentions to build a POL distribution system utilizing the protection
afforded in North Vietnam before extending the line into Laos. Subsequent
reports indicate work is continuing on the pipeline in the Xe Bang Hiang valley
west of Ban Vat.
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MAPS AND CHARTS
USAF. Series SAO-5, 1st ed, scale 1:250,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
NPIC Project 170002NG
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