The European Fund for Regional Development has granted Repsol 62.9 million ECUs (some 10.2 billion pesetas) for the construction of the new Cartagena-Puertollano pipeline.

 This new pipeline will go into service at the end of 1999, will be 350 km. long, and equipped with the most advanced technology and safety measures. It will require an investment of over 26 billion pesetas. The project will produce a three-fold increase in the amount of oil unloaded at the Cartagena terminal, and will supply the Cartagena refinery and the Puertollano industrial complex. Oil supply to the latter will be guaranteed, and the stretch of pipeline with its outlet at M�laga, which is its present source of supply, will go out of service as soon as the new pipeline goes on stream.

 Current facilities for unloading and storing oil at M�laga will be dismantled, thus improving environmental and safety conditions for those living in the vicinity, and the free land will become a green zone for community use, whilst port activities will be made more compatible with strategic plans for the town.

 Building of the new Cartagena-Puertollano pipeline will, directly and indirectly, create one thousand new jobs during construction work.

 This new pipeline is of great importance, for it will bring significant economic benefit to different regions of Spain, increasing oil and port activity in the Community of Murcia, stimulating industrial development in the Castilla-La Mancha Community, whilst maintaining activity at the Puertollano refinery. This project will also improve the tourist and services sectors in M�laga.