Canadian businesses rely on the use of petroleum storage tanks to store petroleum until such time as it can be distributed for the purposes of energy, heating and transportation. However, maintaining these tanks safely and cost-effectively requires that a whole-lifecycle approach be adopted.
Petroleum storage tank lifecycle
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Design and installation
Canadian legislation requires that petroleum storage tanks are sited and installed in such a way as to minimize the risk of environmental contamination and human harm. This means that businesses wishing to install a tank must select an appropriate location that can be access-controlled to maintain security.
The ideal site should be away from bodies of water or ecologically sensitive areas and sufficiently large to accommodate secondary containment systems. The tank itself should be suitable for the environment in which it will be used, and where the site is likely to encounter snow or freezing temperatures, it would be wise to invest in a double-walled, corrosion-resistant tank.
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Operation and maintenance
Once installed, the tank must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its longevity and safe operation. These inspections should be conducted by trained individuals who will assess the structural integrity of the tank as well as check that its contents have not been compromised.
Remote monitoring systems can be installed to allow real-time monitoring of the petroleum storage tank and its contents, guarding against leaks, spills, temperature changes or pressure variations and informing a proactive maintenance regime. The tank should be cleaned periodically to remove sediment and sludge, which could affect the quality of the stored petroleum and threaten the tank’s safe operation.
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Regulatory compliance
Canada’s storage tank regulations are in place to protect the environment and to safeguard human health. For this reason, businesses must maintain regulatory compliance at all times, reporting tank inspections and incidents swiftly to avoid penalties.
It is wise to put in place bespoke risk management plans and to practice safe evacuation procedures in a simulated environment to ensure the workforce is prepared for any unforeseen eventuality that may occur.
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Decommission
Petroleum storage tanks have a defined lifetime of circa 30 years and at their end of life, they must be safely decommissioned. This means that they must be dismantled, cleaned and disposed of in a safe and environmentally conscious manner.
Operators must inspect the site for contamination and remedy any issues that are identified, whether or not a new tank is to be installed at the same site.
It may be possible in some instances to extend the lifetime of an existing tank rather than replacing it and where this is possible, it offers environmental and cost benefits to businesses. It is vital to remember, however, that safety always trumps cost, so if there is any doubt about the integrity of the tank, it should be dismantled and disposed of rather than re-used.
Conclusion
Managing the lifecycle of a petroleum storage tank is vital to achieving value for money, regulatory compliance and safeguarding personnel. By performing regular maintenance and implementing upgrades as necessary, it is possible to extend the life of a storage tank while simultaneously protecting the environment and delivering productivity efficiencies.