Oil talks
p. 39 · Read in the full issue
with Iran
IRAN and Tonga are discussing the
setting up of a crude oil storage de pot on one of Tonga’s islands. King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV said the project would involve pumping water out of a crater on the island of Nuafou’ou, cover ing its bed with concrete and installing tanks. Iranian crude oil would be stored on the island for distribution by tanker to refineries in New Zealand and South America.
Nuafou’ou is 650 kilometres north of Tongatapu and is also known as Tin Can Island. The crater was formed by a vol canic eruption.
The King said the island was ideal for oil storage because it had good deep wa ter access for supertankers. The talks with Iran began last year after a three man delegation visited Tonga, and it is proposed the Tongans visit Tehran soon for more discussion on the scheme and also about diplomatic links between the two countries. If the project went ahead, said the King, a storage depot would be built on Tongatapu for refined petrol and diesel and aviation fuel. There was also the possibility of an oil refinery being built. □!
King Taufa’ahau