Red Hill fuel pipeline removal marks key milestone in facility’s closure

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Navy has begun a two-year project to remove roughly 10 miles of pipeline tied to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility .

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The underground military fuel storage facility was decommissioned in 2022 following multiple spills contaminating the area’s water supply.

“Removal of the pipelines from the Red Hill tunnels marks a significant milestone,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Lester Ortiz, deputy commander for Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill (NCTF-RH).

“Every section of pipe we remove is a tangible step and visible demonstration of our continued commitment to the people of Hawaii to safely and deliberately close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility,” Ortiz said.

Prior to their removal, the pipes had to undergo a cleaning or pigging process, named for the squealing sound heard during cleaning. It involves a foam cylinder being pushed through the pipes to collect liquid or debris, which is then captured and shipped to a facility for disposal.

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This phase was completed in early June, removing 2,532 gallons of residual fuel.

The next step is to cut the pipeline into approximately 6,000 sections and ship them to the continental United States for recycling.

All work is being done under oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii Department of Health to ensure it meets state and federal environmental standards.

“There are many moving parts in the pipeline removal process, and we want to ensure that the work is completed safely,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Francisco Barreto, director of facilities and operations for NCTF-RH.

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Pipeline removal operations are anticipated to be completed in 2028.