Cairn Energy completes 360-mile pipeline

Image caption, Cairn's pipeline passes through 270 villages

Cairn Energy has completed the world's longest heated pipeline to pump oil from its Rajasthan field in India.

The pipeline took two years and 6,000 workers to build.

The 360-mile-long (580km) pipeline from the Thar deserts of Rajasthan to the Gujarat coast passes through 270 villages and 34 major rivers.

Edinburgh-based Cairn, which previously had to move oil to the refineries by truck, will now be able to sell through the pipeline.

It will be able to gradually increase both production and sales.

The unique nature of the Rajasthan crude requires the pipeline to be heated to ensure the continuous flow of oil.

There are also 35 heating stations at 20km (12 mile) intervals along the length of the pipeline.

Rahul Dhir, managing director of the company in India, said: "Cairn India is delighted that crude oil sales from Mangala, through the pipeline, have started.

"It has taken 24 months to link this key piece of infrastructure from Rajasthan to the refineries which will allow for significant production growth."