Stock review activities are carried out in concurrence with the marketing companies, intimating them of their stock positions and the replenishment quantities needed to maintain 30 days' stock as per their market share of each product marketed. Consent is obtained from marketing companies for replenishment of product in the correct quality and quantity, along with confirmation on imports to be received on the exact date into CPSTL storage. The fluctuating production plan of the CPC refinery is the major concern in confirming product imports.

In order to maintain uninterrupted supply into installations and to avoid unnecessary demurrage payments to ships, pier occupancy and lay times by vessels are calculated and arranged to avert overlapping.

Tanker loadings and unloadings are often performed under adverse weather conditions at sea, where staff undergo stress and strain performing this strenuous task. At off-shore unloading buoys, the sea-going operations staff face dangers due to high swells, slips, and climbing rope ladders. Measurements are taken, tanker product quantities are worked out, and quality is assured by the Laboratory against specifications, with periodical inspections for product contamination while unloading, all carried out on board the tankers. On completion of unloading and comparison of product received against the seller's invoice, the tanker is released.

In regard to refinery transfers, three pipelines running from the refinery to Kolonnawa are used to transfer production, and the products are tested at the Kolonnawa end, assured for quality, and stored for distribution.

Once received into storage, products are allowed to settle as per operating procedures, tested for quality assurance, and kept ready for release. Road tanker and rail tanker fillings at the relevant gantries, and pipeline transfers to customers, are performed using certified product in release tanks.

In emergencies where transfer of products by rail and road is difficult, pipelines running from Kolonnawa to the harbour are used to load coastal barges for delivery to coastal depots, or to fill barrels for delivery by air or road trucks. Product unloading and loading, refinery transfers, pipeline deliveries to power plants, and loadings into road tankers and rail bogies are performed simultaneously, averting overlaps in operations and avoiding demurrages, delays, and disruption to refinery processing.

Products belonging to marketing companies are reconciled daily against the respective receipts and deliveries.

Muthurajawela Terminal was constructed to meet anticipated demand by 2010 and commenced commercial operations in 2004, initially handling Diesel and Kerosene only. In 2008, with the laying of an off-shore pipeline along with a dual-path buoy and modifications to the tank farm and its automated tank-farm operation system, two further products — Gasoline 92 octane and Low Sulphur Fuel Oil — were introduced. The dual-path buoy gives this installation two dedicated receiving pipelines from mid-sea, allowing the 221,000 MT tankage at Muthurajawela Terminal to be utilised at its maximum.

At present this terminal is fed only from imports, and deliveries to the public are made only through tank trucks. A dedicated pipeline delivers Low Sulphur Fuel Oil to the adjacent power plant at Kerawalapitiya.

The Off-Shore Operations function looks after handling operations for tankers arriving at the Muthurajawela buoy in the mid-sea — a tedious job. CPSTL deploys two mooring masters to assist the captain of the arriving tanker in directing and manoeuvring. Once a tanker arrives within port limits, the mooring master advises the captain to halt or anchor. The mooring masters, product-unloading crew, independent surveyors responsible for the consignment to consignor and consignee, and laboratory staff who draw samples to assure quality, all go on board the tanker, transported by the MERV (Maintenance and Emergency Response Vessel) and boarding via rope ladder — a manoeuvre made dangerous by the vessel's swell in adverse weather.

The mooring master takes over manoeuvring and directs the tanker to the buoy, requiring expertise to halt the vessel close to the buoy without collision, tying it using the mooring hawser rope. The mooring master directs the tanker crew in connecting the unloading hose string, kept floating in the sea, using the derrick crane on board. Divers and marine fitters support the tie-in of the hawser and picking up of the hose string, inspecting under-buoy connections and the seabed pipeline from the line boat, and standing by at the MERV for any emergency during unloading. Once the unloading hose is connected, the MERV holds a rope tied to the rear of the vessel to manage any movement and prevent it drifting forward into the buoy. From that point, the procedure follows what is described under Bulk Movement and Bulk Products.

Maintenance of this maritime installation, unloading operations for tankers arriving at the harbour, and the on-shore berth and allied pipelines are all performed by the Off-Shore Operations function, which is also responsible for handling the crude oil buoy belonging to CPC.

CPSTL's main laboratory, located at the Kolonnawa Installation, operates independently for marketing companies, performing product quality assurance and issuing certificates independently. The laboratory tests every batch of receipts, every product transfer, and every bulk delivery tank prior to release, against specifications.

CPSTL is in the process of constructing a state-of-the-art laboratory and intends to obtain accreditation.

The Distribution function handles island-wide distribution of bulk petroleum products to dealers and consumers by road, rail, and other transport means where necessary. It maintains stocks in island-wide bulk depots, scheduling product deliveries economically across allotted areas using CPSTL-owned and hired tank trucks. Bulk depots are located trackside and fed by rail, with the balance of requirement fed by road tankers. Aviation fuel is delivered to Katunayaka Airport daily using three sets of trains, while other airfields are fed by road tankers.

Based on volumes handled and future expansion capability, bulk depots are categorised into two types.

Grade I Depots

Peradeniya, Galle, Kurunegala, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Badulla & Kankasanthurai

Grade II Depots

Kotagala, Haputale, Matara, Sarasavi Uyana

In performing distribution of products, it is important to note that the following facilities are available only at Kolonnawa Terminal:

• Delivery of product by rail
• Pipeline transfers and exports of white oils (Petrol, Jet Fuel, Diesel, Kerosene) and Furnace Oil to power plants and bunkering installations
• Delivery and storage of Jet Fuel
• Loading into barges during emergencies
• Storage facilities for all Premium Petroleum Products (PPP), including the 4 products handled at Muthurajawela Terminal
• Receipt of refinery products
• Connection to the outside world through Colombo Harbour
• Independent laboratory located at Kolonnawa
• Calibration of road tankers and rail wagons

The tankage available at the Muthurajawela installation is optimally utilised, with maximum deliveries currently assigned that this installation can perform economically. Colombo city and the Southern Province are fed from Kolonnawa Terminal, achieving the optimum use of resources and the best economic advantage for the institution.