POL PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION NORTHEAST, NORTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78T05162A000300010004-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2011
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: November 1, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

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PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION
REPORT
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION (:ENTER
POL PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
NORTHEAST, NORTH VIETNAM
NOVEMBER 1972
COPY NO: I y
C DAMCC
25X1
PIR-052/72
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POL PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
NORTHEAST NORTH VIETNAM
ABSTRACT
1. A recently identified POL pipeline under construction in northeast North
Vietnam and extending into China was observed
The new line joins the North Vietnamese pipeline system near Hon Gay and crosses
the China-North Vietnam border near Mong Cai. The alignment follows the
northeast coast of North Vietnam generally and is observed on the extent of coverage
just north of the border crossing. This report contains a map showing the alignment
of the new pipeline and two photos of points on the line.
BASIC DESCRIPTION
2. Construction of a major POL pipeline into China along the North
Vietnamese coast was seen 25X1
Initial indications of a new pipeline under construction along the northeast coast
were identified on low-altitude photography On these dates, 25X1
open trenching for the pipeline was observed extending approximately 25 nautical
miles (nm) northeast of Hon Gay.
3. The new POL pipeline joins the existing North Vietnam POL pipeline
system by a dual junction with the Hon Gay-to-Hai Duong dual line at 20-59-27N
106-58-52E, just northwest of Tieu Giao Petroleum Products Storage Depot 25X1
. From this junction the pipeline generally parallels Route 183 to 25X1
the northeast until it turns north at 21-04-14N 107-14-38E. It then parallels Route 18
to the vicinity of Tien Yen, North Vietnam. The pipeline crosses the Song Pho Cu
River at 21-20-38N 107-22-30E, and then follows the alignment of Route 402 1 nm.
The line turns northeast at 21-23-OON 107-22-50E and generally parallels Route 4.It
crosses the North Vietnam/China border at 21-38-38N 107-45-06E, approximately 14
nm northwest of Mong Cai, North Vietnam (Figure 3). The northernmost extent of
the pipeline is observed 11 nm inside China at 21-40-OON 107-53-OOE.
4. Three double river crossings and at least one triple river crossing are
observed along the pipeline. Double line crossings are at the Song Ka Long River, the
Tien Yen River, and an unnamed stream 3.3 nm southwest of Tien Yen. Evidence of
at least three pipes is observed at the Song Pho Cu River crossing. These multiple
crossings may provide a backup in the event of damage at these vulnerable points on
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the pipeline. The possibility of a dual pipe along the entire line cannot be
discounted.
5. Two POL storage areas associated with the pipeline were under construction
in October. Both are in North Vietnam. One storage area is at 21-38-35N 107-45-13E
on the south bank of the Song Ka Long River, which forms the China/North Vietnam
border in this area. This facility contains 42 horizontal tanks in excavations.
Thirteen additional tanks near the storage site will probably be added to the storage
facility. The other storage area is at 21-20-21N 107-21-08E, 3 nm west of Tien Yen.
This area contains 28 horizontal tanks.
6. In some areas the exact alignment of the pipeline cannot be confirmed owing
to vegetation or a lack of trench scarring. The actual and estimated alignment of the
new line extends for approximately 77 nm from Hon Gay to the extent of
photographic coverage 11 nm inside China.
ACIC. Series TPC, Sheet J-11AG, scale 1:500,000
REQUIREMENT
NPIC/IEG/SGD/SAB Project 120401NB
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FIGURE 1. ALIGNMENT OF NEW NORTH VIETNAMESE POL PIPELINE
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