Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines

CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for

Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Terminals

Introduction as host country context, assimilative capacity of the

environment, and other project factors, are taken into account.
The Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines are The applicability of specific technical recommendations should
technical reference documents with general and industry- be based on the professional opinion of qualified and
specific examples of Good International Industry Practice experienced persons. When host country regulations differ from
(GIIP) 1. When one or more members of the World Bank Group the levels and measures presented in the EHS Guidelines,
are involved in a project, these EHS Guidelines are applied as projects are expected to achieve whichever is more stringent. If
required by their respective policies and standards. These less stringent levels or measures than those provided in these
industry sector EHS guidelines are designed to be used EHS Guidelines are appropriate, in view of specific project
together with the General EHS Guidelines document, which circumstances, a full and detailed justification for any proposed
provides guidance to users on common EHS issues potentially alternatives is needed as part of the site-specific environmental
applicable to all industry sectors. For complex projects, use of assessment. This justification should demonstrate that the
multiple industry-sector guidelines may be necessary. A choice for any alternate performance levels is protective of
complete list of industry-sector guidelines can be found at: human health and the environment
www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.nsf/Content/EnvironmentalGuidelines

The EHS Guidelines contain the performance levels and

Applicability
measures that are generally considered to be achievable in The EHS Guidelines for Crude Oil and Petroleum Product
new facilities by existing technology at reasonable costs. Terminals include information relevant to land and shore-based
Application of the EHS Guidelines to existing facilities may petroleum storage terminals receiving and dispatching bulk
involve the establishment of site-specific targets, with an shipments of crude oil, gasoline, middle distillates, aviation gas,
appropriate timetable for achieving them. The applicability of lube oil, residual fuel oil, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquid
the EHS Guidelines should be tailored to the hazards and risks petroleum gas (LPG), and specialty products from pipelines,
established for each project on the basis of the results of an tankers, railcars, and trucks for subsequent commercial
environmental assessment in which site-specific variables, such distribution. This document is organized according to the
following sections:
1
Defined as the exercise of professional skill, diligence, prudence and
foresight that would be reasonably expected from skilled and experienced
professionals engaged in the same type of undertaking under the same or
Section 1.0 — Industry-Specific Impacts and Management
similar circumstances globally. The circumstances that skilled and experienced Section 2.0 — Performance Indicators and Monitoring
professionals may find when evaluating the range of pollution prevention and Section 3.0 — References
control techniques available to a project may include, but are not limited to, Annex A — General Description of Industry Activities
varying levels of environmental degradation and environmental assimilative
capacity as well as varying levels of financial and technical feasibility.

APRIL 30, 2007 1

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

1.0 Industry-Specific Impacts control the emission of VOCs from storage and working losses
which apply to most bulk fuel storage tanks, as well as above-
and Management
ground piping and pump systems, include the following3,4:
The following section provides a summary of EHS issues
associated with crude oil and petroleum product terminals that
• Maintaining stable tank pressure and vapor space by:
occur during the operation phases of a facility, along with
o Coordinating filling and withdrawal schedules, and
recommendations for their management. Additional
implementing vapor balancing between tanks (a
recommendations for the management of environmental issues
process whereby vapor displaced during filling
common to the construction and decommissioning phase of activities is transferred to the vapor space of the tank
infrastructure and industrial facilities are provided in the being emptied or to other containment in preparation
General EHS Guidelines. for vapor recovery);
o Reducing breathing losses by using white or other

1.1 Environment reflective color paints with low heat absorption

properties on exteriors of storage tanks for lighter
Environmental issues in this industry sector include the
distillates (e.g. gasoline, ethanol, and methanol) or by
following: insulating tanks. The potential for visual impacts from
tank colors should be considered;
• Air emissions
• Where vapor emissions contribute or result in ambient air
• Wastewater
quality levels in excess of health-based standards,
• Hazardous materials and oil
installation of secondary emissions controls such as vapor
• Waste
condensing and recovery units, catalytic oxidizers, vapor
combustion units, or gas adsorption media;
Air Emissions
• Use of gasoline supply and return systems, vapor recovery
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during crude oil hoses, and vapor tight trucks / railcars / vessels during
and petroleum product terminal storage activities have the loading and unloading of transport vehicles;
potential to be significant from both an environmental and an
• Use of bottom loading truck / rail car filling systems;
economic perspective. Emissions of VOCs may result from
• Establishing a procedure for periodic monitoring of fugitive
evaporative losses during storage (typically referred to as
emissions from pipes, valves, seals, tanks and other
“breathing, storage, or flash losses” 2), from operational
infrastructure components with vapor detection equipment,
activities such as filling, withdrawal, additive blending, and
and with subsequent maintenance or replacement of
loading / unloading of transport links (referred to as “working
components as needed. The procedure should specify the
losses”), and due to leaks from seals, flanges, and other types
of equipment connections (known as “fugitive losses”).
2 Storage losses occur due to changes in temperature and pressure which
Additional emissions may occur from vapor combustion units
cause vapor to be forced from the tank through vents and into the atmosphere.
and vapor recovery units. Recommendations to prevent and 3 The applicability may depend on the type of product stored, the storage
system, and the significance of potential impacts to ambient air quality.
4 More detailed recommendations are provided in European Commission (EC):

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau: Reference Document on

Best Available Techniques on Emissions from Storage, 2005.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

monitoring frequency and locations, as well as the trigger • Consider the use of double seal systems for floating roof
levels for repairs. tanks where appropriate based on the nature of the
material being stored, the size of the tank(s) in question,
Fixed Roof Tanks throughputs, location considerations, and meteorology.10

• Based on the nature of materials being stored, minimizing • Using sleeves to eliminate emissions from slotted guide
storage and working losses through installation of internal poles;

floating roof and seals;5 • Minimize losses from tank roof landing events by limiting
• Further minimizing working losses during filling and the number and durations of such events. Use practices

emptying through vapor balancing and vapor recovery that minimize the impact of tank roof landing events, such

techniques6 as described above; as keeping legs on a low setting or restricting activities to

• Maintaining the insulation of heavy fuel storage tanks evenings when temperatures are cooler and the potential

(which is necessary together with a heating source to for ozone formation is lower. Consider cone bottom drain

maintain fuel viscosity) in good condition in order to dry floor designs which reduce potential emissions when a

maintain the negligible levels of storage loss typically tank roof is landed.

associated with this type of insulation.7

• Reducing the generation of dissolved gases by eliminating Variable Vapor Space Tanks
the pressure drop from the tank fill line. • When feasible, upgrading tank systems with variable
vapor space tanks. These tanks use expandable vapor
Floating Roof Tanks 8 reservoirs to account for changes to vapor volume

• Installing decks, fittings, and rim seals according to design resulting from temperature and pressure changes and can

specifications of international standards to minimize function as integrated components of vapor systems for

evaporative losses.9 fixed roof tanks. Examples of variable vapor space tanks

• Protecting rim seals from wind and weather damage and are lifter roof tanks and flexible diaphragm tanks. These

conducting regular maintenance; systems minimize VOC emissions from storage losses.11

Pressurized tanks
5 American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 2610: Design, Construction,
Operation, and Maintenance of Terminal and Tank Facilities (2005) • Consistent with manufacturer’s recommended pressure /
6 Vapor recovery units typically employ adsorption, absorption, membrane
separation, and / or condensation. EC (2005) vacuum settings, low-pressure tanks which can emit
7 Environment Canada. Guide for Reporting to the National Pollutant Release
working losses during filling operations should be
Inventory, Appendix Six: Storage Tanks and their Evaporation Implications
(2003) equipped with a pressure / vacuum vent that is set to
8 Floating roof tanks emit VOCs through both storage and working losses. To
minimize evaporative losses, both external and internal floating roof systems minimize breathing loss from temperature or pressure
use decks, fittings, and rim seals to allow the roof to adjust in relation to the
liquid level in the tank. Evaporative losses occur through the rim seal and deck changes. High-pressure storage tanks have next to no
fittings and residual liquid on the tank walls that is exposed during liquid
withdrawal activities.
evaporative or working losses.12
9 Examples include: API Standard 620: Design and Construction of Large,
Welded, Low-pressure Storage Tanks (2002); API Standard 650: Welded Steel
Tanks for Oil Storage (1998), and; European Union (EU) European Standard 10 API Standard 2610 (2005)
(EN) 12285-2:2005. Workshop fabricated steel tanks for the aboveground 11 Environment Canada (2003)
storage of flammable and non-flammable water polluting liquids (2005). 12
Environment Canada (2003)

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

Tank Cleaning • Application of effective spill prevention and control;

• Tank cleaning and degassing can generate significant • Implementation of secondary containment procedures that
quantities of VOCs. Tank degassing vapors should be avoid accidental or intentional releases of contaminated
routed to an appropriate emissions control device. Other containment fluids;
practices include restricting activities to a season when the • Installation of stormwater channels and collection ponds
potential for ozone formation is reduced or to a time of the with subsequent treatment through oil / water separators.
day when the potential for ozone formation is less; Oil / water separators should be properly selected,
• Tanks should be periodically inspected internally, and designed, operated, and maintained.
establishing an inspection frequency based on the
Further recommendations for the management of stormwater
condition of the tank at the previous internal inspection
are discussed in the General EHS Guidelines.
(typically 10 years or less).13

Tank Bottom Water

Wastewater Rainwater infiltration, condensation of moisture from tank vapor
Crude oil and petroleum product terminal effluent consists of
space, and water present in the product itself prior to delivery
sewage and process wastewater. Process wastewater consists
may all contribute to the presence of water inside product
mainly of tank bottom draining and contaminated stormwater storage tanks. Water that separates and settles to the tank
runoff, including water from tank leaks and spills that collects in bottom should be periodically drained from the bottom of the
hydrocarbon contaminated secondary containment areas. tank, resulting in a liquid effluent of oily water. Measures to
Other possible sources of wastewater include oil contaminated prevent the accumulation of tank bottom water include:15
water from washing tanker trucks and railcars, and wastewater
from vapor recovery processes.14 • Regular maintenance to locate and repair / replace tank
roof, seals, or other sources of water infiltration;
Recommendations for the treatment of sewage are discussed
• Use of domes on floating roof tanks to reduce rainwater
in the General EHS Guidelines. Recommendations for the
penetration;
prevention and control of process wastewater effluents are
• Use of meters (“sight glasses”) to determine water content
discussed below.
in tank, as well as vortex eliminators / barriers to minimize
product release during draw off.
Stormwater
Contaminated stormwater quality and volumes may depend on
site-specific considerations including overall housekeeping and
spill prevention practices, rainfall, and total runoff area.
Measures to minimize generation of oil contaminated
14 API Standard 1612. Guidance Document for the Discharge of Petroleum
stormwater runoff primarily include: Distribution Terminal Effluents to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (1996)
15 API Standard 2610 (2005)

13 See API Standard 653 (1995) for specific guidance on inspection frequency.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

Storm and Process Wastewater Treatment 16 Guidelines, measures to manage these types of hazards
Depending on the type and quality of fuel product stored at the include:
terminal, effluents from tank bottom water, stormwater, and
• Storage tanks and components should meet international
other sources may contain separate phase and dissolved
standards for structural design integrity and operational
petroleum hydrocarbons such as benzene, tolulene,
performance to avoid catastrophic failures during normal
ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) and oxygenates (e.g. MTBE).
operation and during exposure to natural hazards and to
Wastewater may also contain metals and phenols, in addition to
prevent fires and explosions.18 Applicable international
common wastewater contaminants including total suspended
standards typically include provisions for overfill protection,
solids (TSS), and fecal coliforms.
metering and flow control, fire protection (including flame
As the major wastewater sources are tank bottom water and arresting devises), and grounding (to prevent electrostatic
stormwater runoff, wastewater flows in this sector typically charge).19 Overfill protection equipment include level
occur in batches, not lending themselves to on-site biological gauges, alarms, and automatic cutoff systems. Other
treatment. These types of effluents may need to be pre-treated standard equipment include the use of “breakaway” hose
via oil / water separators, with further on-site or off-site connections in fuel dispensing equipment which provide
biological and chemical treatment and activated carbon emergency shutdown of flow should the fueling connection
systems,17 depending on the volume of contaminants present, be broken through movement;20
and whether the facility is discharging the wastewater into a • Storage tanks should have appropriate secondary
municipal system or directly to surface waters. Additional containment21 as discussed in the General EHS
guidance on wastewater treatment, including sanitary sewage Guidelines, including procedures for the management of
discharge, is provided in the General EHS Guidelines. containment systems. Secondary containment design
needs depend on the type of tank, the nature and volume

Hazardous Materials and Oil of the material(s) being stored, and site configuration, and

The storage and transfer of liquid materials in crude oil and includes:

petroleum product terminals creates the potential for leaks or o Depending on the size and location of the tanks, use
accidentally releases from tanks, pipes, hoses, and pumps of double bottom and double wall containment,
during loading and unloading of products. The storage and
transfer of these materials also poses a risk of fire and
explosion due to the flammable and combustible nature of the
18 Examples include API Standard 620; API Standard 650, and; European
materials stored. In addition to the recommendations for Standard (EN) 12285-2:2005.
19 Examples of industry practice for loading and unloading of tankers includes
hazardous materials and oil management in the General EHS
the latest edition of the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and
Terminals (ISGOTT) and API 2610 (2005).
20 EC (2005)
21 Secondary containment may include a wide variety of structures such as

16 Further good practice for effluent treatment is available in API Standard

earthen berms, dikes, concrete retaining walls, booms, spill diversion ponds,
retention ponds, and trenches, among others. Examples of good practice in the
4602: Minimization, Handling, Treatment and Disposal of Petroleum Products construction and maintenance of secondary containment can be found in
Terminal Wastewater, 1994. United States Environment Protection Agency (US EPA) Spill Prevention,
17 API Standard 1612 (1996) Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Requirements.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

impervious linings underneath tanks, or internal tank • For unloading / loading activities involving marine vessels
liners22 and terminals, preparing and implementing spill prevention
o Installation of impervious asphalt or concrete surfaces procedures for tanker loading and off-loading according to
with polyethylene sheeting underneath in areas of applicable international standards and guidelines which
potential petroleum leaks and spills, including below specifically address advance communications and
gauges, pipes, and pumps,23 and below rail and truck planning with the receiving terminal;26
loading / unloading areas • Facilities should develop a spill prevention and control
o Secondary containment in rail and truck tanker plan that addresses significant scenarios and magnitudes
loading areas should be appropriate for the size of of releases. The plan should be supported by the
the railcar or truck, level, curbed, sealed, and draining necessary resources and training. Adequate spill response
to a sump connected to a spill retention area. The equipment should be conveniently available to address the
spill retention area should also be equipped with an most likely types of spills. Spill cleanup materials should
oil / water separator to allow the routine discharge of be managed as discussed below;
collected rainwater24 • Where appropriate, spill control and response plans
• Storage tanks and components (e.g. roofs and seals) should be developed in coordination with the relevant local
should undergo periodic inspection for corrosion and regulatory agencies;27, 28
structural integrity and be subject to regular maintenance • Above Ground Storage Tanks (ASTs) should be located in
and replacement of equipment (e.g. pipes, seals, a secure area, protected from potential collisions by
connectors, and valves);25 vehicles, vandalism, and other hazards. Additional
• Loading / unloading activities should be conducted by guidance on ASTs is presented in the General EHS
properly trained personnel according to pre-established Guidelines.
formal procedures to prevent accidental releases and fire /
explosion hazards. Procedures should include all aspects Waste Management
of the delivery or loading operation from arrival to Wastes generated at terminals may include tank bottom sludge,
departure, including wheel blocking to avoid vehicle which must be periodically removed to maintain product quality
movement, connection of grounding systems, verification or tank storage capacity, as well as spill cleanup materials and
of proper hose connection and disconnection, adherence soils contaminated with oil. Typically, sludge is composed of
to no-smoking and no-naked light policies for visiting water, residual product, and various solids including sand,
drivers;

22 EC (2005)
23 US EPA. SPCC Requirements. practice includes API Standard 653: Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and
24 API Standard 2610 (2005). Reconstruction (1995).
26 API Standard 2610 (2005). For details about basic precautions, including
25 Several methods exist for inspecting tanks. Visual inspection may reveal
those related to fire safety, refer to the latest version of ISGOTT, which includes
cracks and leaks in tanks. X-ray or ultrasonic analysis can be used to measure a Ship / Shore Safety Checklist for overall safety and spill prevention.
wall thickness and pinpoint crack locations. Hydrostatic testing may indicate 27 For relevant components for spill response and planning, see US EPA Code
leaks caused by pressure, while a combination of magnetic flux eddy current
and ultrasonic analysis can be used to detect pitting. An example of good of Federal Regulations (CFR) 40 CFR Part 112: Oil Pollution Prevention and
Response (2002).
28 EC (2005)

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

scale, and rust.29 Tank sludge and spill cleanup materials • Residual fuel should be removed from the tank and all
should be managed via re-processing for product recovery or associated pipes and managed as a hazardous waste;
as a waste at a facility licensed to handle this type of material in • Before commencing tank removal operations the tanks
an environmentally sound manner. Small quantities of oil should be inerted so as to remove the risk of explosion.
contaminated soils should be managed via land treatment or as Proven inerting methods include hydrophobic foam fill,
a waste at a facility licensed to handle this type of material. nitrogen foam fill, nitrogen gas purging, water fill, dry ice,
Larger quantities of affected soils and other environmental combustion of gas, and cleaning-degassing;
media, including sediment and groundwater, may require • All vent pipes and risers associated with the tank should
management according to guidance applicable to contaminated be dismantled and / or capped-off and clearly labeled;
land provided in the General EHS Guidelines. • Tank dismantling should be carried out off-site, if the
facility is currently used to store fuel and there is not
Site Upgrade and Decommissioning sufficient space to carry out the dismantling work safely;
Contaminated soils and water may be encountered around fuel • If tanks and piping are left in situ, recommended closure
dispensers, piping, and tanks during excavation for repairs, methods should include cleaning and removing contents,
upgrades or decommissioning. Depending on the type and inerting, and filling with sand and cement slurry,
concentration of contaminants present, small quantities of soils hydrophobic foams, or foamed concrete.
or liquids may need to be managed as a hazardous waste as
described in the General EHS Guidelines. Larger quantities of
1.2 Occupational Health and Safety
affected soils and other environmental media, including
sediment and groundwater, may require management Occupational health and safety issues associated with crude oil
according to guidance applicable to contaminated land provided and petroleum product terminals primarily include the following:
in the General EHS Guidelines.
• Chemical hazards
Terminals should have formal procedures to address and • Fire and explosions
manage the planned or unplanned discovery of site upgrade • Confined spaces
and decommissioning waste, as well as to address the
discovery of more extensive evidence of environmental Chemicals Hazards
contamination.30
Occupational exposures may be most likely related to the
dermal contact with fuels and inhalation of fuel vapors during
Removal operations of any tanks and connected piping should
fuel loading and unloading. Exposure should be prevented
include the following procedures:
through the implementation of occupational health and safety
management programs and measures described in the
29 US EPA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
Section 313. Industry Guidance: Petroleum Terminals and Bulk Storage General EHS Guidelines as applicable to hazardous materials
Facilities (2000).
30 Host country regulations may require specific approaches to screening of management and chemical occupational health and safety
soils during excavation as well as further assessment of contaminated media in
retail petroleum sites (for examples see CETESB regulations in the State of
hazards.
Sao Paulo, Brazil).

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
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Fire and Explosions and vessels35), including use of fail safe control valves and
Fire and explosion hazards at crude oil and petroleum product emergency shutdown equipment;
terminals may result from the presence of combustible gases • Prevention of potential ignition sources such as:
and liquids, oxygen, and ignition sources during loading and o Proper grounding to avoid static electricity buildup
unloading activities, and / or leaks and spills of flammable and lightning hazards (including formal procedures
products. Possible ignition sources include sparks associated for the use and maintenance of grounding
with the buildup of static electricity31, lightning, and open connections)36
flames.32 In addition to recommendations for hazardous
o Use of intrinsically safe electrical installations and
materials and oil management, and emergency preparedness
non-sparking tools37
and response provided in the General EHS Guidelines, the
o Implementation of permit systems and formal
following measures are specific to terminal facilities:
procedures for conducting any hot work during

• Crude oil and petroleum product terminals storage facilities maintenance activities,38 including proper tank
should be designed, constructed, and operated according cleaning and venting
to international standards33 for the prevention and control • Preparation of a fire response plan supported by the
of fire and explosion hazards, including provisions for necessary resources and training, including training in the
distances between tanks in the facility and between the use of fire suppression equipment and evacuation.
facility and adjacent buildings, provision of additional Procedures may include coordination activities with local
cooling water capacity for adjacent tanks, or other risk- authorities or neighboring facilities. Further
based management approaches;34 recommendations for emergency preparedness and
• Implementing safety procedures for loading and unloading response are addressed in the General EHS Guidelines;

of product to transport systems (e.g. rail and tanker trucks, • Facilities should be properly equipped with fire
suppression equipment that meets internationally
recognized technical specifications for the type and
amount of flammable and combustible materials stored at
the facility.39 Examples of fire suppression equipment
31 Static electricity may be generated by liquids moving in contact with other include mobile / portable equipment such as fire
materials, including pipes and fuel tanks during loading and unloading of
product. In addition, water mist and steam generated during tank and extinguishers, and specialized vehicles, as well as
equipment cleaning can be come electrically charged, in particular with the
presence of chemical cleaning agents.
32 A number of products stored at terminal facilities are listed as “accumulator
35 For an example refer to the latest edition of the International Safety Guide for
oils” including natural gasolines, kerosenes, white spirits, motor and aviation
Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT).
gasolines, jet fuels, naphthas, heating oils, clean diesel oils, and 36 For an example refer to the latest edition of ISGOTT.
lubricating oils. Accumulator oils take longer to dissipate electric charges and
hence represent a higher risk of ignition from static electricity. 37 For an example refer to the latest edition of ISGOTT.
33 An example of good practice includes the US National Fire Protection 38 Control of ignition sources is especially relevant in areas of potential
Association (NFPA) Code 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids. Further flammable vapor-air mixtures such as within vapor space of tanks, within vapor
guidance to minimize exposure to static electricity and lightening is available in space of rail / truck tankers during loading / unloading, near vapor disposal /
API Recommended Practice 2003: Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out of recovery systems, near discharge vents of atmospheric tanks, in proximity to a
Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents (1998). leak or spill.
34 Safety distances also can be derived from industry and trade association 39 Such as the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or other
standards, insurance providers, and specific safety analyses. equivalent standards.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
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automatic or manually operated fixed fire suppression specifically to the sections on “Hazardous Materials
systems.40 Management” and “Traffic Safety”). Guidance applicable to
transport by rail is provided EHS Guidelines for Railways
Confined Spaces while transport by sea is covered in the EHS Guidelines for
Confined space hazards, as in any other industry sector, can, in Shipping.
the worse case scenario, potentially lead to fatalities if not
properly managed. Confined space entry by workers and the Visual Impacts
potential for accidents may vary among terminal facilities
One of the most significant visual changes attributable to crude
depending on design, on-site equipment, and infrastructure.
oil and petroleum product terminals is the size of bulk storage
Confined spaces in crude oil and petroleum product terminals
tanks. Visual impacts should be prevented during the planning
may include storage tanks, some secondary containment
process for new facilities or managed during operations through
areas, and stormwater / wastewater management the installation of natural visual barriers such as vegetation.
infrastructure. Facilities should develop and implement confined The location and color of bulk storage facilities also should be
space entry procedures as described in the General EHS
selected with consideration of visual impacts.
Guidelines. 41

2.0 Performance Indicators and

1.3 Community Health and Safety
Monitoring
Community health and safety issues associated with the
operation of terminal facilities may include potential public
2.1 Environment
exposure to spills, fires, and explosions although the probability
of large magnitude events directly associated with storage Emission and Effluent Guidelines
operations in well designed and managed facilities is usually VOC emissions from terminal facilities should be controlled
low. Facilities should prepare an emergency preparedness and through the application of techniques described in Section 1.1
response plan that considers the role of communities and of these Guidelines. Stormwater runoff should be treated
community infrastructure as appropriate. Additional information through an oil/water separation system able to achieve oil &
on the elements of emergency plans is provided in the General grease concentration of 10 mg/L. Process effluent discharge
EHS Guidelines. quality should be established on a site-specific basis, taking
into account the characteristics of the effluent of the receiving
The likelihood of community exposure to chemical hazards may
water use.
be greater during road, rail, or water transport activities
associated with fuel delivery and distribution. Risk management
strategies associated with the transport of hazardous materials
by road are presented in the General EHS Guidelines (refer

40 API Standard 2610 (2005).

41Industry specific guidance for safe entry during tank cleaning and
maintenance is provided in API Standard 2015: Safe Entry and Cleaning
Petroleum Storage Tanks (2001), and the latest edition of ISGOTT.

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Environmental Monitoring United States (OSHA),44 Indicative Occupational Exposure

Environmental monitoring programs for this sector should be Limit Values published by European Union member states,45 or
implemented to address all activities that have been identified other similar sources.
to have potentially significant impacts on the environment,
during normal operations and upset conditions. Environmental Accident and Fatality Rates
monitoring activities should be based on direct or indirect Projects should try to reduce the number of accidents among
indicators of emissions, effluents, and resource use applicable project workers (whether directly employed or subcontracted) to
to the particular project. Monitoring frequency should be a rate of zero, especially accidents that could result in lost work
sufficient to provide representative data for the parameter being time, different levels of disability, or even fatalities. Facility rates
monitored. Monitoring should be conducted by trained may be benchmarked against the performance of facilities in
individuals following monitoring and record-keeping procedures this sector in developed countries through consultation with
and using properly calibrated and maintained equipment. published sources (e.g. US Bureau of Labor Statistics and UK
Monitoring data should be analyzed and reviewed at regular Health and Safety Executive)46.
intervals and compared with the operating standards so that
any necessary corrective actions can be taken. Additional Occupational Health and Safety Monitoring
guidance on applicable sampling and analytical methods for The working environment should be occupational hazards
emissions and effluents is provided in the General EHS relevant to the specific project. Monitoring should be designed
Guidelines. and implemented by accredited professionals47 as part of an
occupational health and safety monitoring program. Facilities
should also maintain a record of occupational accidents and
2.1 Occupational Health and Safety
diseases and dangerous occurrences and accidents.

Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines Additional guidance on occupational health and safety

Occupational health and safety performance should be monitoring programs is provided in the General EHS

evaluated against internationally published exposure Guidelines.

guidelines, of which examples include the Threshold Limit

Value (TLV®) occupational exposure guidelines and Biological
Exposure Indices (BEIs®) published by American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH),42 the Pocket
Guide to Chemical Hazards published by the United States
National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety
(NIOSH),43 Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) published by 44 Available at:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDA
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the RDS&p_id=9992
45 Available at: http://europe.osha.eu.int/good_practice/risks/ds/oel/
46 Available at: http://www.bls.gov/iif/ and

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm
47 Accredited professionals may include Certified Industrial Hygienists,
42 Available at: http://www.acgih.org/TLV/ and http://www.acgih.org/store/ Registered Occupational Hygienists, or Certified Safety Professionals or their
43 Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/ equivalent.

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3.0 References and Additional Sources

American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 2003. Protection European Union (EU). 2005. European Standard (EN) 12285-2:2005.
Against Ignitions Arising out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents. Workshop fabricated steel tanks - Part 2: Horizontal cylindrical single skin
Washington, DC: API (1998). and double skin tanks for the aboveground storage of flammable and non-
flammable water polluting liquids.
API. 2005. Standard 2610: Design, Construction, Operation, and
Maintenance of Terminal and Tank Facilities. Washington, DC: API. European Union. 1994. European Parliament and Council Directive 94/63/EC
of 20 December 1994 on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC)
API. 2002. Standard 620: Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low- emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from
pressure Storage Tanks. Washington, DC: API. terminals to service stations. Available at http://eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31994L0063:EN:HTML
API. 2001. Publication 1612: Guidance Document for the Discharge of
Petroleum Distribution Terminal Effluents to Publicly Owned Treatment International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISCOTT). 2006.
Works (1996). Washington, DC: API. London: Witherbys Publishing.

API. Standard 2015: Safe Entry and Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks. US EPA. 2002. Code of Federal Regulations. 40 CFR Part 112. Oil Pollution
Washington, DC: API. Prevention and Response; Non-Transportation-Related Onshore and
Offshore Facilities. Available at
API. 1998. Standard 650: Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage. Washington, http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/pdfs/0703_40cfr112.pdf
DC: API.
US EPA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
API. 2001. Standard 653: Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Section 313. Industry Guidance: Petroleum Terminals and Bulk Storage
Reconstruction. Washington, DC: API. Facilities (2000). Washington, DC: US EPA. Available at
http://epa.gov/tri/guide_docs/2000/00petro4.pdf
API. 1994. Standard 4602: Minimization, Handling, Treatment and Disposal
of Petroleum Products Terminal Wastewater. Washington, DC: API. US EPA. 2000. Industrial Guidance, Petroleum Terminals and Bulk Storage
Facilities. Washington, DC: US EPA.
Environment Canada, 2003. Guide for Reporting to the National Pollutant
Release Inventory. Appendix 6: Storage Tanks and their Evaporation US EPA. 2002. 40 CFR 112. Oil Pollution Prevention and Response; Non-
Implications. Gatineau, QC: Environment Canada. Transportation-Related Onshore and Offshore Facilities. Washington, DC: US
EPA. Available at http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/sfsites/oil/bulk.htm
European Commission (EC). 2005. Integrated Pollution Prevention and
Control Bureau: Reference Document on Best Available Techniques on US EPA. AP 42, Fifth Edition, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors,
Emissions from Storage. Volume 1: Stationary Point and Area Sources. Washington, DC: US EPA.

European Commission. 1996. Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control US EPA. 1995. APR 42, Fifth Edition, Chapter 7, Liquid Storage Tanks.
(IPPC). EU Council Directive 96/61/EC. Available at http://eur- Washington, DC: US EPA.
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31996L0061:EN:HTML
US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Code 30: Flammable and
European Commission. 1996. Seveso II Directive - Prevention, Preparedness Combustible Liquids.
and Response. EU Council Directive 96/82/EC. Available at
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/docum/01624_en.htm

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
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Annex A: General Description of Industry Activities

Crude oil and petroleum product terminals are designed to
Floating Roof Tanks
receive and dispatch bulk shipments of gasoline, middle
Floating roof tanks may have external and internal floating roofs.
distillates, aviation gas, lube oil, compressed natural gas (CNG),
The former has no fixed roof while the latter has both a fixed
liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and specialty products from
and a floating roof. In both cases, the floating roof consists of a
pipelines, ships, railcars, and trucks. Crude oil and petroleum
deck, fittings, and rim seals, and typically involves a pontoon
product terminals are often located at the sea coast but may
and double-deck system. The roof rises and falls with the liquid
also be situated inland.
level in the tank to minimize VOC emissions.

Typical activities during the operations of terminal facilities

include receiving and unloading of products from ships, rail Variable Vapor Space Tanks
tankers, trucks, and pipelines; storage and handling of product Variable vapor space tanks use expandable vapor reservoirs to
in on-site tanks; mixing or product blending activities; and account for changes to vapor volume resulting from temperature
loading products to transportation vehicles and other links, such and pressure changes. Variable vapor space tanks often
as pipelines, rail tankers, trucks, and ships, for distribution to function as integrated components of vapor systems for fixed
customers. roof tanks. Examples of variable vapor space tanks are lifter
roof tanks and flexible diaphragm tanks. These systems
Storage Tanks minimize VOC emission from storage losses.48

A typical terminal has between 10 and 30 tanks. A typical tank is

between 50 and 15,000 cubic meters (m3). In general, tanks are Pressurized Tanks
separated to avoid damaging other tanks should they catch fire. Pressure tanks are generally used for storing liquids and gases
The separation distance is dependent on the particular type and under pressure. They are available in several sizes and shapes,
amount of fuel product. Individual secondary containment for depending on the operating pressure of the tank. Pressurized
tanks is used to further minimize the risk of heating adjacent storage tanks may be used for compressed natural gas (CNG)
tanks in the event of a fire. Storage of petroleum products takes and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).49
place in various sized tanks, typically installed above ground.
Operational Activities
Fixed Roof Tanks
Loading / Unloading
Fixed roof storage tanks are typically cylindrical in shape and
Terminal operations mainly consist of unloading / loading the
can be either horizontal or vertical in orientation. In general, they
product from supply links (e.g. vessels, pipelines, rail, and truck
have a painted steel shell with a permanent roof that may be flat
tankers) to storage tanks, and onward to distribution links,
or in a cone / domed shape. Fixed roof tanks may also be fitted
typically rail and truck tankers.
with internal floating roofs to minimize emissions of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs).
48 Environment Canada (2003)
49 Ibid.

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Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

Crude oil and petroleum product terminals generally employ In addition to water drainage, the interior of tanks should be
above ground piping systems, consisting of pipelines, hoses / clean and corrosion free to avoid product contamination. Tanks
loading arms, valves, instrumentation connections, meters, and are typically cleaned and inspected according to an established
pump stations, to transfer the product between tanks and maintenance schedule based on the characteristics of the
transport links. Other equipment includes vapor recovery product being stored. For most petroleum products, an internal
systems and components of secondary containment zones in inspection interval based on the condition of the tank at the
the loading bays for rail / tank trucks. Depending on the product, previous internal inspection is suitable (typically 10 years). For
handling systems involving gravity, pump, compressor, and inert jet kerosene products, the inspection and cleaning regime for
gas techniques are employed to move the product in and out of tanks should be performed with greater regularity due to the
tanks. The design, construction, and operation of these systems high purity requirements of the product. Tanks used for jet
are subject to international standards.50 Terminals involving kerosene are typically cleaned every second year.
tanker ships have distinct loading and unloading considerations
and equipment.

Additive Blending
During storage, a product sample is typically analyzed to ensure
quality control. Various additives may be employed to increase
product performance and other characteristics. For example, an
additive to increase conductivity is typically added to jet
kerosene while it is in the fuel storage tank. Other additives,
such as gasoline oxygenates, including MTBE, may be
employed at the time of loading to a truck or rail tanker for
distribution.

Tank Drainage and Cleaning

Products may be contaminated with water from ship storage
holds or from accumulation during storage due to condensation.
Water is regularly drained from tanks using manual and
automatic systems, and diverted to a retention unit and an oil /
water separator. Recovered product is then pumped back into
the original storage tank, and separated water is treated prior to
discharge.

50 An example is API Standard 2610 (2005).

APRIL 30, 2007 13

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
CRUDE OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCT TERMINALS

WORLD BANK GROUP

Figure A.1: Typical Terminal Systems and Operations

Vapor Recovery Unit

(VRU)

Rail tanker Tanker Tanker/ Pipeline Additives

truck barge

Pumps and manifold

system

To
Oil receiving
Storage tanks separator water

Water from hard standing surfaces

where spills are likely to occur

Fugitive air emissions

Point source air emissions

APRIL 30, 2007 14