Library / Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONS OF PETROLEUM REFINING FACILITIES Code: DPR GUIDE 0044 - 2021 Review Date: 3rd February 2021

Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONS OF PETROLEUM REFINING FACILITIES Code: DPR GUIDE 0044 - 2021 Review Date: 3rd February 2021

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Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators  
GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONS OF PETROLEUM REFINING FACILITIES 
Code: DPR GUIDE 0044 - 2021 
 
Review Date: 3rd February 2021 
 
 
 
This is a property of the Department of Petroleum Resources. All rights reserved  
 
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The licensee shall develop Inspection and Testing Procedure document in line with 
industry standard and best practices.  
8.1 
INSPECTION OF STATIC EQUIPMENT  
 
Storage Tanks  
i. 
All storage tanks within a refinery process plant shall be opened for internal 
inspection at least once every 5years by a DPR approved inspection company and 
witnessed by DPR.  
ii. 
The tank shall be cleaned and adequately ventilated before internal Inspection.  
iii. 
During an inspection:  
1. the tanks shall be subjected to thorough visual and non-destructive test 
inspections.  
2. Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) of tank shells shall be carried out and 
records made available to DPR representative(s) on demand.  
3. any observed defect affecting the integrity of the tanks shall be rectified.  
4. the tank shall be hydrostatically tested and recalibrated following (3) before 
recommissioning. 
5. During storage tank cleaning operations:  
i. 
adequate ventilation shall be provided inside the tank and as work 
progresses, frequent tests shall be carried out to detect any increase in gas 
concentration.  
ii. 
adequate safety equipment and devices shall be provided for workers 
entering the tank for their protection and survival in case of emergency 
while working in the tank.  
iii. 
the use of sand as an abrasive agent in blasting activities for cleaning of 
steel structures - tanks and pipelines shall be minimized; and   
iv. 
abrasive agents, when desired, shall be of less than 1 percent free silica and 
only be used when adequate safety precautions have been taken.