News

News Steel Tank Institute. New Standard SP00100, Inspection of Shop Fabricated above ground storage tanks

STI has published a new standard, STI SP001-00, Standard for Inspection of In-service Shop Fabricated Aboveground Tanks for Storage of Combustible and Flammable Liquids. This standard was developed at the request of the Federal EPA, in response to proposed tank inspection requirements that, under some circumstances, will become a mandatory part of a tank owner's Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan, when the EPA rule becomes final by the end of the year.

The U.S. Clean Water Act requires that facilities covered under the EPA's SPCC regulations develop and submit an SPCC Plan, certified by a professional engineer, to prevent the discharge of oil into the U.S. navigable waters. Because the SPCC Rule includes facilities, which may discharge oil into groundwater or storm run-off, which in turn may flow into navigable waters, nearly all facilities that store or use oil products are affected.

The current rule states that above ground tanks should be subject to periodic integrity testing, using such techniques as hydrostatic testing, visual inspection or a system of non-destructive shell thickness testing.

The new STI Standard will be referenced in the final SPCC Rule. Other than the new STI Standard, only API 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction, addresses inspection of above ground storage tanks for flammable and combustible fluids.

The main targets for API 653 are the large, field-fabricated tanks that are fabricated to API 650. The extensive inspection requirements of API 653 are needed for large tanks because of the large volumes and hydrostatic pressures encountered. API 650 includes equations for calculating the steel thickness needed for a particular tank.

These equations take into account pressure encountered, the type of steel used, the weld joints used, and the weld inspection testing used. The construction and installation of the smaller shop fabricated tanks differs greatly from those needed for large, fieldfabricated tanks. The shopfabricated tanks covered by STI SP001-00 are commonly manufactured to standards, such as UL 142 or UL 2085. These Underwriters Laboratories standards include tables that specify the steel thickness based on tank diameter and capacity.

Shop fabricated tanks have smaller capacities than site fabricated tanks, and therefore smaller hydrostatic pressures are encountered at the tank bottom. Shop fabricated tank capacity is rarely more than 50,000 gallons. Further, whereas API 650 tanks are always vertical, shop fabricated tanks are commonly horizontal cylindrical. The bottom of the tank is visible and the tank supports used to elevate the tank must be inspected.

The STI SP001-00 standard includes inspection techniques for all types of shop fabricated tanks, including those that are horizontalcylindrical, vertical, and rectangular; tanks that are either single or double wall; and tanks that rest directly on the ground or that are elevated on supports. STI incorporated comments solicited from the US EPA representatives and several state representatives into the final standard, approved by STI in August. Copies of the standard are available at $35.00 (plus $5.00 shipping and handling) from the Steel Tank Institute, 570 Oakwood Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047, Phone: 847/438-8265 Fax: 847438-8766.

African Countries Phasing out Leaded Petrol

Within five years, most African countries will have phased out or be close to phasing out leaded petrol, says the United Nations Environment Programme. Around 90% of petrol supplies around the world are unleaded. The remaining 10% that is leaded is concentrated in developing countries, according to the UNEP.

The UNEP's survey reveals that, four countries - Egypt, Libya, Mauritius and the Sudan - are already fully lead-free, and this year four other countries - Morocco, Reunion, Tunisia and Western Sahara will join them. The progress does not stop there, as 22 other African countries, including South Africa, Ghana and Kenya countries are currently drawing up plans to phase out leaded fuel by 2006. There are also plans to bring the remaining countries, many in central Africa into the unleaded fold.

Much of Africa has lagged behind the rest of the world in phasing out unleaded fuel mainly for technological reasons and misconceptions about the effect of unleaded fuel on engines, says UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. "Many people who drive older cars are convinced that they will suffer engine damage if they fill up with unleaded fuel, but this really is not the case," said Rob de Jong, the UNEP's programme officer for urban environment. Unleaded petrol works well, if not better in most if not all vehicles, he said. "Unleaded petrol also allows motorists to drive vehicles with catalytic converters," he said.

The plan to phase out leaded fuel from Africa is being assisted by the Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles Partnership, one of the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg last August. As part of the scheme, the UNEP's on-site filling station at its headquarters in Kenya has ceased selling leaded fuel.

Zimbabwe: Petrol hoarding causes fire, property worth £3.5m destroyed

Property worth £3.5 million was destroyed while two men escaped with moderate burns after petrol they had stored in their Kuwadzana

home in Zimbabwe caught fire recently.

One of the men, Shelton Tsuro of Kuwadzana, was moving property from one room into the next using candlelight in the evening. The candle, which was supported by a stand on a bookshelf in the room, fell off, landing on a can containing about 40 litres of petrol. There was an explosion and the room immediately caught fire, which quickly spread to other rooms.

However, Shelton managed to help his father Elisha Tsuro out of the house and in the process, they both sustained moderate burns all over their bodies. The fire brigade was later summoned and the blaze was put out but some of the property could not be saved. Police spokesperson Inspector Cecilia Churu urged members of the public to refrain from hoarding petrol and storing it in their homes as this could prove fatal.

The two men who suffered moderate burns are at Harare Hospital receiving treatment.

Nigeria: Petrol Supplies Sabotaged

The Nigerian Government has blamed recent petrol shortages on political sabotage. Information Minister Jerry Gana said it was no coincidence that traffic had been paralysed by a lack of petrol in the run-up to general elections in April. Petrol has become scarce in Lagos and some other parts of Nigeria, prompting a return to the long petrol queues common during the military rule, which ended in 1999.

Correspondents say that President Olusegun Obasanjo had been citing the end of fuel queues as one of the key dividends of his rule during his re-election campaign.

'Dark days return'

"For three years, we resolved the (fuel shortage) problem and then suddenly because we are now campaigning, some people thought they could make some subterranean moves just to discredit us," Mr Gana said. Oil officials have provided a raft of other reasons for the sudden • Panic-buying • Petrol hoarding • Striking oil workers • Broken-down refineries • Fears of war in Iraq • World oil markets

Nigeria is a major oil exporter but most petrol is imported. During the military era, corruption, smuggling and mismanagement led to massive petrol queues and some of those caught in Lagos traffic jams felt a sense of deja vu. "It is like the Abacha dark days are here again," civil servant Celestine Orji said sadly, remembering the regime of late military ruler General Sani Abacha. "What sort of country is this? Why should we continue to suffer in the midst of plenty?" he asked.

One man was relieved to get a full tank after a four-hour wait. Workers in Nigeria's oil exporting industry briefly went on strike last week but this should not have affected domestic supplies of imported petrol. However, this may have prompted panic buying, worsened by fears that a war in Iraq may lead to a rise in the price of petrol.

South Africa: Minister Omar Asked to Help Stop Massive Fuel Theft

Road transport operators have appealed to transport minister Dullah Omar for help in combatting the theft of fuel amounting to millions of rand each year. Despite the prevalence of fuel theft, either through petrol card scams or by syndicates that drain petrol tankers, there is no national police investigation into the theft.

Each year SA truckers ferry 870 metric tons of goods, including fuel, worth R2 000 billion. The road freight industry employs 70,000 people and have launched a campaign to clean up the industry.

The Scorpions unit, a special investigation unit attached to the national prosecutions office, has at least five major fuel fraud investigations underway. Convictions were recently obtained in major fraud at Sasol's Secunda plant amounting to millions of rands.

Petrol at R4 a litre has made it one of the most desirable and easy to steal commodities in the country. Across SA are multiple cases of theft ranging from brazen emptying of tankers into underground holds between Zeerust and the Botswana border, to petrol card scams, taxi industry heists and even paraffin being mixed into fuel to increase profits (and wreck your car engine). Thieves have been found filling dustbins with fuel at filling stations late at night and taxis have got away with filling barrels with fuel at depot and racing past security guards and barriers with their valuable loot.

David Parry of BP ho heads the fuel industry Crime and Related Matters working group said fuel theft is a major problem. 'It involves many intermediaries and companies and cross border syndicates," he said.

Engen and Caltex say the situation is "grave." The fuel industry is reluctant to discuss theft believing that it could lead to further losses - but they are not the only ones experiencing the impact. Ultimately the consumer pays.

South Africa's high taxes on fuel has given some dealers an incentive to buy stolen fuel. Forty percent of the cost of petrol goes to tax - 5% to the road accident levy, 1% customs and excise, 31% fuel levy, 3% equalisation fund. A dealer who does not pay tax by purchasing stolen fuel immediately makes at least a 40% profit.

Imperial - Largest Commercial Fueling Network in South Africa - Joins OTi's FuelMaster

OTI announced that the Logistic and Transport Division of Imperial Bulk Services, the largest commercial fueling network in South Africa, has selected FuelMaster, OTI's Gasoline Management System, for its fleet in Africa. FuelMaster is the brand

News name under which BP sells OTI's

Gasoline Management System in the African market.

This decision follows an extensive review and pilot implementation undertaken by Imperial. Revenues under the contract, which could exceed $1M, will predominantly result from the sale of OTI site equipment, volume-based fees, and installation services. Over 100 million litres of fuel were dispensed through the FuelMaster system in 2002, for which OTI receives transaction fees.

As a result of Imperial's decision to utilize OTI hand-held tags for driver identification in conjunction with the vehicle-mounted equipment, additional applications such as in-store purchases, time and attendance, access control, medical management and the payment of toll fees may be implemented in the later stages of the project.

With more than 50 transportrelated companies, Imperial's

Logistics and Transport division employs 13,651 staff members at 210 branches and engages in long distance hauling including flat deck operations, tanker transport, refrigerated transport, forest harvesting and transportation of timber. It operates a fleet of approximately 5500 prime movers and 3000 trailers, which are to be equipped with the OTI system.

Want a Thai Massage? Go to a petrol station in Thailand

Traditional Thai massage services at petrol stations are proving a real hit. Not only is there a long queue for a good rubdown, the good business is also spilling over into sales of petrol and at the convenience stores. 'Usually, we sell around 600,000 litres of petrol, but since the massage service started just a few months ago, sales are now up to around 650,000 litres a month,' said Mr Kiertikul Komin, senior vice-president, marketing, for Bangchak Petroleum Plc.

Bangchak's New Charoen Krung service station was the first branch to open an 'Alternative Health Centre' offering traditional massage. Sales at the station's convenience store, coffee shops and even its laundry service have also improved since, said Mr Kiertikul. 'The new service deserves all the credit,' he added. During peak periods - after office hours on weekdays and on weekends - the waiting list is long even though 10 masseurs are on duty.

Riem Bhodhiphan, the area manager who oversees the shop, says customers now make reservations by phone. Is there scope for this in Europe?

Tokyo: Fuel Cell Vehicle Unveiled by Nissan; X-Trail FCV powered by UTC Fuel Cells Plant

Nissan X-TRAIL FCV fuel cell vehicle powered by a UTC Fuel Cells (UTCFC) hydrogen power plant was unveiled in Tokyo. The vehicle is the first produced under agreements signed between Nissan and UTC Fuel Cells to develop fuel cells and fuel cell components for vehicles. The zero-emissions XTRAIL FCV is a hybrid vehicle drawing primary power from a 75kilowatt UTCFC ambient pressure fuel cell power plant. It is fueled by compressed hydrogen. Nissan intends to start public road testing of the vehicle in Japan. UTC Fuel Cells is also developing fuel cells for the fleet vehicle market with partners Irisbus of Europe and Thor Industries of the United States. A Thor Industries' bus powered by a 75-kilowatt fuel cell power plant unit entered passenger service in November with Sunline Transit Agency, which serves the Greater Palm Springs, California, area.

Bio-fuels, a greener alternative to diesel

It turns out that Rudolf Diesel, who invented the diesel engine, had as early as in 1899, experimented with the by-products of coal distillation and coke plants, such as tar and creosote oils. And he came to the conclusion that it was possible to burn vegetable and animal oils without difficulty.

In 1912, he wrote "...the first trials were made in 1900 with earth-nut oil; it is certain that motor power can still be produced from the heat of the sun which is always available for agricultural purposes, even where all our natural stores of solid and liquid fuels are exhausted".

A hundred years on, diesel may still be the wonder fuel it was touted to be, but its effect on the air quality and the health of a city has assumed alarming proportions, and the search for clean, green fuels continues.

And then there was E.F. Schumacher, who wrote in the foreword to Forest Farming, Prosperity for India, "travelling through India, I came to the conclusion that there was no salvation for India except through trees."

In 1952, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research declared, "It can be safely stated, therefore, that when running diesel engines on vegetable oils without any appreciable change in design, it is possible to get similar, or superior, efficiency to that obtained when using mineral oil."

Much diesel has been burned since then and, hearteningly, the search for bio-fuels has not been flagging. Scientists and technologists are now talking of a national policy on non-edible vegetable oils as bio-fuels.

SuTRA (Sustainable Transformation of Rural Areas), Indian Institute of Science, and the Samagra Vikas Trust have planned a seminar on the subject on February 1. The retired V. Balasubramanian, who is the convener of the seminar, has said that a committee chaired by K.V. Raju, Institute of Social and Economic Change, has drafted a national policy after a series of consultations. The draft is being circulated among various agencies and organisations for their inputs.

The Samagra Vikas Trust president, Y.B. Ramakrishna, says the trust has joined hands with SuTRA to popularise and promote

the technology to extract bio-fuels from non-edible oils. SuTRA has been successfully running a demonstration of the holistic benefits of the technology at Ungura, a village in Kunigal, near Bangalore, for many years now.

It has been very successful in promoting the honge (pongamia) oil as a diesel substitute to run generators to produce electricity to pump water. It has also been shown that diesel-run automobiles can be run on these non-edible oils.

There is also ample opportunity for socio-economic development of the rural community that can be centred on honge cultivation and production of honge oil, the Samagra Vikas Trust's Vaman Acharya points out.

We are closer than we think to what Joshua Tickell, writing in From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank visualises: "As you roll down your window to let in some fresh air, you notice the sweet smell of French fries... you turn your diesel off, and wonder why nobody believed you when you told them that you were going to run your car on French fry oil."

OMV buys BP assets and becomes CEE market leader

OMV buys BP assets, becomes CEE market leader: • Acquisition of 313 filling stations from BP in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia • 45% stake in BAYERNOIL and 18% stake in the Transalpine pipeline

• Accelerates growth and adds value • Earnings accretive in 2003

OMV, the European oil and gas group, today announces the acquisition of 313 Aral and BP filling stations in Southern Germany, Hungary and Slovakia from Deutsche BP AG. OMV has also acquired a 45% stake in BAYERNOIL, a network of three refineries in the Ingolstadt area, and an 18% stake in the Transalpine pipeline (TAL) from Trieste to Bavaria. The purchasing price of about EUR 377 million will be financed through debt. This acquisition is a further milestone in OMV's strategy and strengthens its leading position in the core markets of Central and Eastern Europe. This deal meets OMV's strategic target of achieving a 10% market share in Bavaria and will be immediately earnings accretive from 2003 onwards.

In line with strategy, following the acquisition of the international exploration and production portfolio of Preussag Energie from TUI AG in January 2003, OMV extends its Central and Eastern European retail network from 1,232 as of December 31, 2002 to 1,615 stations, the latter including 70 service stations acquired during the last year.

With an additional 5.4 mn tons (t) the company's refinery capacity in Bavaria increases from 3.4 mn t to 8.8 mn t per year. With the opportunity of integrating OMV's refinery Burghausen into the Southern German refinery network of BAYERNOIL, a 12 mn t network established in 1998, this builds up a strong strategic supply position. In addition, OMV intends to exploit short-term and long-term synergy effects to optimize the filling station and commercial business.

The Company will spend approximately EUR 220 mn on the retail station networks, about EUR 142 mn on the stake in the refineries and about EUR 15 mn on the TAL pipeline. In addition to the purchasing price, it is expected that working capital will be approximately EUR 150 mn. In the short term, this acquisition will be financed through debt thus increasing the gearing rate. OMV will not consider a capital increase for this transaction and remains committed to its long term gearing target of 30%. The acquisition will become effective at its closing, scheduled for the second quarter of 2003.

Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, CEO of OMV said: "This acquisition is fully in line with our strategy to double our size by 2008 and to become a leading European oil and gas company. We have achieved a leading position in Bavaria and have enhanced our presence in Hungary and Slovakia, both countries which will join the European Union in 2004."

Ruttenstorfer adds that as an integrated oil and gas company, OMV strives to achieve a balanced rate of expansion in its two core segments, namely Exploration and Production (E & P) and Refining and Marketing (R & M). OMV adopted a strategic balance ratio of 0.5 to 1 between the equity production in E & P and the output in Refining.

Market leader in a market with more than 100 million people

Gerhard Roiss, Deputy CEO of OMV and member of the Board with responsibility for R & M, added: "Our target is to operate at least 2,000 filling stations in our core region. With this acquisition, we significantly strengthen our leadership in the Central and Eastern European region." The purchase of the network of high quality filling stations ties in with the expansive quality and convenience strategy. This adds an additional opportunity of growth for the 491 VIVA shops and 100 Vienna Cafés that are already operating.

Through this acquisition the OMV Group increases its retail network to 1,615 stations, reaching a market share of 12%. The Company's target remains to increase market share in the Central and Eastern European growth market - home to 100 mn people - to 20% by 2008.

Third largest network of filling stations in Bavaria, a market share of almost 10% 247 of the purchased filling stations are located in Southern Germany, mainly in Bavaria, Saxony, Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia. This acquisition and the acquisitions of the previous year increase OMV's market share in Bavaria from 2% to 9% and the number of filling stations from 76 as of December 31, 2002 to 246 (118 thereof as a result of this transaction).

OMV also acquires a further 71 stations in Baden-Württemberg. In Saxony, the number of filling stations operated by OMV rises from 20 to 50, and market share from about 4% to 9%. In 2002, the filling stations acquired in Germany achieved sales of approximately

News 747 mn litres, corresponding to an average annual sales volume of approximately 3.02 mn litres per station, versus a Bavarian average of 2.9 mn litres and an Austrian average of approximately 2.2 mn litres.

OMV with 43% of the refining capacity most important supplier in Bavaria

With the acquisition of a 45% stake in BAYERNOIL Raffineriegesellschaft mbH, which disposes of a processing capacity of approximately 12 mn t, OMV's annual crude oil processing capacity in Bavaria increases by 5.4 mn t to 8.8 mn t. Roiss commented: "With a total petroleum products market of 18.8 mn t, we are now the most important supplier in Bavaria." In addition, with the acquired further 18% stake in the Transalpine pipeline, OMV holds a 25% stake in one of the most significant crude oil pipelines from the Mediterranean to the North. OMV's refinery in Schwechat is supplied by the AdriaWien-Pipeline, a spur line of the TAL pipeline.

BAYERNOIL consists of three pipeline-connected refineries equipped with state-of-the-art technology. In 2002, these sites, located in Ingolstadt, Vohburg and Neustadt, respectively, produced approximately 10 mn t of mineral oil products. A possible integration of the OMV refinery in Burghausen into this network of refineries originally established in 1998 would provide to considerable short and mid-term synergies. Roiss adds: "An integration with the network will markedly improve our refinery's competitiveness." The acquisition also enhances OMV's position in the Bavarian commercial business, the area being a net import market. It also supports supplies to the Munich airport, where OMV already supplies 50% of the jet fuel. In addition, it also creates an attractive supply base for customer demand in the Czech Republic and Western Austria.

Strong international player in Hungary

In Hungary, OMV's acquisition of 55 quality Aral branded filling stations increases market share from approximately 11% to 16%, firmly establishing OMV as the leading international company in this growth market. As a result of this acquisition, the number of OMV filling stations in Hungary increases from 113 to 168. In 2002, the newly purchased stations sold approximately 180 mn litres or an average of 3.3 mn litres per station, versus a Hungarian average of approximately 2.1 mn litres. The Hungarian market, including the economically strong Budapest area, is supplied directly from the OMV refinery in Schwechat and OMV's Danube storage facility in Csepel.

Leading international provider in Slovakia

In Slovakia, OMV takes over 11 Aral filling stations, thereby increasing the number of stations to 81 and market share from 13% to 15%. This establishes OMV as the largest international filling station company in Slovakia. In 2002, the sales volume of the newly purchased filling stations amounted to approximately 24 mn litres, or an average of 2.2 mn litres per station, against a Slovakian average of approximately 1.8 mn litres per station.

Sale of the BP-R&M portfolio

In the wake of its acquisition of Veba Oel AG from E.ON in 2001, BP will sell its participating interests in BAYERNOIL and the TAL pipeline as well as the filling station networks. The German Monopolies and Mergers Commission has given its approval of the acquisition, but it is dependent on BP's selling of 45% of its stake in BAYERNOIL Raffineriegesellschaft mbH and 4 percentage points of its market share in the German filling station business based on the sales figures for the year 2000.

The conclusion of the transaction depends on the approval and decisions of the shareholders involved and the competition authorities of the German provinces and countries. It is expected to be concluded in the second quarter of 2003.

Press Releases

Is global oil production close to peaking?

"Global conventional oil production will reach its physical peak in approximately 10 years" said Dr Roger Bentley, Research Fellow at the University of Reading at last week's Institute of Energy oil depletion debate. Debated by Mr Francis Harper, Manager of Reserves and Resources a BP and Professor Paul Stevens, Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law Policy at Dundee University, this event considered the possibility of oil supply peaking between 2010 and 2015.

One of the key issues that arose as a result of this debate was that further discussion was needed as to what would happen if and when global oil production started to decline. Prof Paul Stevens said "If oil supply were to reach physical limits, it would not be a catastrophe, it would simply encourage other areas of human ingenuity". However, this debate demonstrated an overwhelming consensus from delegates that the industry needs urgent Government intervention, encouraging additional investment and improvements in the global energy mix.

Whilst Mr Harper stated that future production will come from a combination of known reserves and potential growth in those reserves and future discoveries, he agreed that world oil production would probably peak and fall due to resource limits, and rapid development of other forms of energy, such as renewables, would play a greater role in the energy mix.

With Dr Bentley arguing that conventional oil production is already in resource limited decline in many countries, including the UK, the US and Indonesia; and in overall decline in Europe, North America and the Asian-Pacific region, John Ingham CEng FInstE, Secretary and Chief Executive of the Institute of Energy said, "This issue will not go away and the Institute of Energy will continue to provide a platform to progress

discussions to take this forward and assist in identifying actions for the future." For further information please contact the Institute of Energy on 020 7580 0008 JoannaHeke communications@instenergy.org.uk

InstE and IP merger update

Addressing the Institute of Energy's Annual Northern Ireland Branch Dinner at the Culloden Hotel, Cultra, John Blackhall CEng FInstE, President of the Institute of Energy provided an update on the proposed merger between the Institute of Energy and the Institute of Petroleum. He said, "as with many of our supporters, the Institute of Energy has to change to continue to meet the needs of its industry. Over 10 months ago, a team of InstE trustees began working to develop a proposal for the Institute of Energy to broaden its horizons. The aim being the creation of a strong, single body that will serve the needs of the energy business, globally, in the 21st century. It was very quickly apparent to all concerned, when the trustees of both Institutes first met, that the potential merger represented an exciting opportunity to create a unique body. One that was truly representative of the entire energy sector and that could ably serve both its group and individual members' needs both today and well into the future."

In January of this year, the 12,000 combined members of the Institute of Energy and Institute of Petroleum received a merger prospectus and a ballot paper. Members were asked whether they supported the merger proposal to create the Energy Institute. Over 40% of the combined membership voted, with over 94% of votes cast in favour of the merger. John Blackhall went on to say "our members have given us a clear mandate for change and a solid base from which to build the Energy Institute. With this very positive go-ahead we can now start laying the promised foundations for the future of the Energy Institute and for all energy professionals."

John Ingham CEng FInstE, Secretary and Chief Executive of the Institute of Energy says, "the new Institute will provide academic, professional and technical support for individuals and companies involved in all aspects of the energy industry, from the renewable energy sector through to the exploration and production of hydrocarbons. He goes on to say "by their votes InstE and IP members have taken that first and most significant step and together we are now embarking on a new and exciting chapter in our proud histories. I am confident that we have the expertise and ability to manage not only the process of merger but also the expectation to achieve the promises made."

For further information please contact the Institute of Energy on 020 7580 0008 JoannaHeke communications@instenergy.org.uk

Lans Man Joins Safety Elite

Ian Burns, QAR, H&S Advisor, Lead Auditor at Fairbanks Environment Ltd in Lancs has received the prestigious British Safety Council Diploma in Safety Management at an awards ceremony at HQS Wellington, London.

Mr Burns was among 80 safety professionals who were presented with their awards following the completion of the Diploma.

In achieving the award, Mr Burns will be in a better position to help create a safer working environment for co-workers at Fairbanks Environment Ltd. Additional knowledge and monitoring of health and safety in the workplace could eventually help reduce the £18 billion a year cost of on-site accidents and illness in the United Kingdom.

In a message of congratulations to successful delegates, Safety Council Director General David Ballard said: "Good safety is good business and can save firms hundreds of thousands of pounds. In passing the Diploma in Safety Management, Mr Burns has shown a big commitment to improving workplace health and safety and reducing the toll of 300 work-related deaths each year."

Many company directors and managers are unaware of how big the savings from first-rate safety management can be.

Diploma delegates study safety law, communicating the safety message, advanced safety management, management of occupational health and hygiene and risk management.

Fairbanks Environment Ltd contact: Brian Reed, telephone 0787 969 6967

British Safety Council contact: Mardi Westphalen, telephone 0208600 5570, email mardi_w@britsafe.org

UK Pre-Tax unleaded petrol price confirmed as the lowest amongst mahor EU countries in 2002

The average pump price of unleaded 95 octane petrol, excluding duty and VAT, on Britain's forecourts was the lowest amongst major EU countries during 2002.

Data from OPAL Oil Price Assessments Ltd, one of Europe's leading energy information companies specialising in downstream oil markets, was based on the monitoring of major brand pump prices across 10 EU members countries. It revealed that the UK average pre-tax pump price of unleaded 95 petrol was a full 1 penny per litre cheaper at 16.6 pence per litre than the next lowest countries, France and Germany on 17.7ppl.

The UK was also second cheapest pre-tax for diesel averaging18.3ppl, compared with 17.9ppl in Germany and 18.4ppl in France.

Malcolm Webb, Director General of UKPIA, commented "This data from OPAL underlines just how competitive fuel retailing is in the UK. Pre-tax pump prices have been consistently amongst the lowest in the EU over the last six years. At

News the same time, our members have introduced cleaner low sulphur fuels well ahead of the EU mandated deadlines, which combined with new engine and exhaust clean-up technologies, have made a significant contribution to reduced exhaust emissions".

Competition in fuel retailing is also reflected in the level of gross margin on each litre of petrol sold the difference between the selling price of petrol and the open market cost - which, OPAL figures show, averaged just over 4 pence per litre in 2002. This compared with close to 7 pence in 1992. The gross margin is not the profit available to a retailer but represents the sum available to cover costs such as transporting fuel from a refinery, marketing and promotion, and operating a filling station.

These tough conditions have contributed to the closure of filling stations in both urban and rural areas of the UK, whose number has declined from over 18,500 in 1992 to 12,200 in 2001.(Source: IP UK

Retail Marketing Survey 2002)

Enquires to: Nick Vandervell,

UKPIA

Tel. 020 7240 0289/0780 3954090

BP Contract Boosts Remote Management Company

A North East, UK company has signed its first major contract in the UK to supply the remote wet stock management services to the BP UK network of convenience retail locations. eGasStation Europe Limited, based in Gateshead, is in the process of surveying the first group of the BP convenience retail locations across the country to begin provisioning its remote wet stock management services. eGasStation wet stock services program will help BP detect and immediately respond to any emerging petroleum product leaks, troubleshoot site equipment inaccuracies (i.e. miscalibrated pumps), and improve the overall site profitability.

Martin McTague, Managing Director of eGasStation Europe Limited, said: "Obviously, we are delighted to have signed our first European contract with BP Oil UK as they are part of one of the largest oil companies in the world. We are confident that the lifecycle cost to fuel retailers of introducing remote management services to their site operations will be offset against the significant cost savings"

For further information please contact Phillippa Hughes at eGasStation on telephone number (0191) 482 7798 or email info@egasstation.co.uk

Concerns over Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP) Storage

Fuel contamination of LRP storage is being reported as being the cause of internal corrosion on a petrol storage tank that recently failed.

Microbial corrosion is a relatively rare phenomenon in petrol storage tanks in the UK and is thought to have caused the problem.

Contaminated LRP fuel, which is a slow selling product and is often not replenished for up to a month, provides the ideal conditions for microbial growth to occur. The microbes thrive on the fuel/water interface that occurs at the bottom of the tank. The digestive result from the activity is nitric acid that can attack any surface.

Microbial corrosion is more commonly found in marine storage, and can only occur if the fuel is dirty and contains water, clean fuel will not support microbial growth.

The major oil companies due to low demand are withdrawing LRP and those with concern for their storage tanks may well speed up this process.

Tanks should always be checked for water, and this should be removed, or the fuel tank dosed with additives to destroy the microbes.

Petrol Filling Station Numbers Continue to Decline

The Institute of Petroleum annual retail marketing survey on petrol filling stations has revealed a further reduction in the number of sites operating, there being 11,423 a reduction of 778 on last year's figures.

More reductions are almost certain with major oils continuing to disinvest further following

The shake down after recent mergers, along with some of the smaller uneconomic dealer sites closing.

The Figures show that only 8264 sites have self service, the numbers for the major oils are: -

Texaco 1337 Esso 1295 BP 1247 Shell 1159 TotalElfFina 1136 Jet 576 Murco 422 Q8 310

Tesco 346 Sainsbury 229 Safeway 184 Asda 154 Morrison 99 Spar (N Ireland) 21 Coop 17

The stations operate 191,816 nozzles, 6504 of the sites have stage 1B vapour recovery, which is only 57% of the sites.

Boy Killed in Petrol Fire

Police named a teenager from south Wales who was killed in a fire, which left a school friend with serious burns. Gwent police said that on Saturday 29 March they believed that 12-year-old Richard Hawrot suffered fatal injuries in a fire that started as they tried to refuel a scooter in the back yard of his friend's house in Newport. Police believed that one of the boys might have used a cigarette lighter to help them see what they were doing in the darkness. The fuel caught light and the children were trapped in the courtyard style back garden. Richard suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. It took fire fighters an hour to bring the blaze under control, and the friend was taken to a specialist burns unit where his condition is believed to be serious.

The Forecourt Show (IFFE)

by Jamie Thompson

William Reed put on the International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show in Birmingham at the NEC on 4 to 6th March this year. The show was in partnership with the APEA who provided speaker sessions during the event. In addition the APEA annual dinner was held at the Metropole Hotel on 5th March.

Visitors to the APEA stand met Jane Mardell the new business manager and with the stand situated

next to the seminar position may visitors called to pick up information on training and Jane joined 10 new members from the Exhibition.

The Dinner

The Annual APEA Dinner was attended by almost 400 people at the Metropole Hotel and it proved a popular event with good entertainment. Tony Jenner the chairman thanked Jane Mardell for making all the arrangements and introduced the after dinner speaker (name) who was an air traffic controller. People who were flying the next day would have had some anxious moments, but most of us sat back and enjoyed a wonderful evening, which did not finish for many until the early hours of the morning. Judging from the late arrivals the next day and puffy eyes we all enjoyed a good evening.

New products were harder to find in the engineering section but interest was found in the following.

Crossover Prevention Valve

Risbridger has developed a crossover prevention valve that is new to the industry to prevent diesel and petrol crossovers. The valve has been developed using a chemical fuse, this is fitted to the fill point of the tank will automatically trigger a shut of mechanism when the fuse "fails" following a delivery of the wrong product. I spoke to one oil company engineer who told me that crossovers cost the industry far too much at the moment and apart from disruptions to site operations, pumping out fuel and taking back to the depot it is the combination of disruption, inconvenience and cost which makes such a valve attractive.

Tank Gauge

4Tech ASA from Norway has produced a tank gauge with a difference and it is claimed to be one of the most accurate gauges on the market. The system based on mass measurement is a simple system with excellent design and software that has been refined to provide whatever the customer wants. The system can perform as a stand-alone gauging system; it can perform and monitor delivery reports, reconciliation, leak detection water alarms temperature measurements etc.

Vapour Management Valve

Accumulus is a new valve on the market from the Petroman stable and there was a lot of interest in the Accumulus vapour management system. The valve that is fitted in the fill pipe internal just inside the tank is designed to radically improve the performance of vapour recovery systems and prevent the loss of vapour from the tank especially during delivery. The valve is designed to reduce the pressure during unloading while achieving a negative pressure between the delivery tanker and the tank farm. This allows a much leaner mixture of vapour to be passed back to the road tanker. Test results on one operational site is very favourable with pay back time estimated to be around 2 years for an average site but much sooner for busy sites.

There is considerable interest from California where CARB are anxious to trial a system.

Tony Jenner and Jane Mardell at the APEADinner

left to right: Jamie Thompson, Jane Mardell, Jack Brinkhurst, Phil Monger, Anton Martiniussen and Andy Berry on the APEAstand

Articles Car wheel falls through forecourt

by Kerry Clarke Petroleum and Explosives Officer, Trading Standards Herefordshire Council

see with water at the bottom! tanning/soaking pit for the leather/wool manufacturing

In Hereford City Centre on the evening of Sunday 23rd February 2003, a car wheel falls through the petrol station forecourt directly

adjacent to the concrete slab where the vehicle refill's. The site was closed by police and fire brigade.

After a daylight inspection, it would appear that half the forecourt has no underground support, just a 20ft deep cave as far as the eye can

After a visit from surveyors with help from a light lowered into the "cave" it appeared to have some sort of circular shape with perfect stone and brick work. Many suggestions were made to try and guess what it was using old plans and drawings: An old well? Something in relation to the old Canal?, Underground escape for the old monastery?

It has now been revealed that it is likely to be a medieval pit which was inherited by wool and leather factory in the late 1800's. The factory then made use of the pit and built up the walls which would

explain the 2 types of brickwork (sandstone into orange bricks). We assume this pit was used as a process. When the factory closed the pit seemed to have been capped with wooden railway sleepers or something similar and forgotten about. In the 1950's/60's the petrol station was built and has been in use ever since and over the years the sleepers have rotted and collapsed revealing the pit on Sunday. To give you an idea of the task in hand, the diameter of the pit was approx 13 feet, and the depth at least 25 feet. It was situated approx 3ft from the canopy support, approx 1ft from the kiosk and approx 3ft from an underground fuel tank. A suction line passes over the pit wall! And no-one ever knew???

I am later informed of the process for making leather using this method, which is that they would need multiple Tanning Pit's which usually are adjacent to each other!

If it wasn't for the reinforced concrete slab on the dispensing forecourt, maybe a whole car or person may have gone in......very lucky escape I think!

The pit will was filled with a concrete foamed slurry. Also ground surveyors shall be looking for the other tanning pits...may find one under the kiosk....who knows!

Can Mobile Phone Communications Ignite Petroleum Vapour?

By Jamie Thompson

The Institute of Petroleum hosted a daylong seminar on 11 March on mobile phones with a series of interesting presentations that questioned both the regulatory and general policy of oil companies, and mobile phone suppliers, which is aimed at preventing the operation of mobile phones while on petrol filling station forecourts.

Mike Longman the chairman of the IP Distribution and Marketing committee opened the proceedings with an overview and explained that the IP was acting as a facilitator to promote technical discussion on the subject and cut through some of the myth and rumour which surrounded this subject.

Mark Phillips of Dr J H Burgoyne and Partners reminded delegates of the basic requirements for ignition and explained the gas air mixture and temperatures for ignition.

Peter Harrison of Nokia explained the breakdown of the elements on the modern mobile phone, its components, the power used and a little about the RF signals they produce.

Tony Maddocks of ERA Technology explained the theory and problems of RF ignition and explained the new British Standard BS6656 November 2002, which covers the subject. It became clear that the present generations of mobile phones do not appear to present an ignition problem as far as RF signals are concerned.

Malcolm Bosher of Spyder Facilities presented a paper on the base stations and the fact that petrol filling stations are now seen as a favoured place to position them. He explained that the hazard came from the unit that was normally up a pole on the site. The unit should be placed a minimum of 3m from a hazardous area and he explained that due to its usual elevated position this was usually outside the hazardous area. He also explained that his company carried out a risk assessment at each site and presented plans to the petroleum licensing authority.

Two presentations from the United States covering research projects on mobile phones were next on the programme. First, Glenn Kuriger of University of Oklahoma explained that experiments showed that mobile phone batteries could be deliberately short-circuited and were able to produce sparking. The batteries were then placed in the phone and when tried again in flammable atmospheres could not replicate ignition. The conclusion from this study in the US was that ignition from mobile phones at a petrol filling station was negligible.

Nathan Weyandt of South West Research Institute covered a research project he undertook on an ignition source that may have been caused by a mobile phone. Intensive manipulation of the phone in laboratory conditions and in an explosive atmosphere failed to secure ignition. The conclusion was this mobile phone was not the cause of the ignition.

Jeremy Smallwood of Electrostatics Solutions explained the research he had undertaken regarding possible electrostatics implication of mobile phone use and these were considered lower than possible ignition of mobile phone itself.

The only presentation to apparently support the current stance taken by industry and the regulators was from Michael Bergmeiers of ECOM Instruments who explained that under European Law and the ATEX directive there is a need for equipment to be assessed for use in hazardous areas. This was especially true for people using the phone during refuelling. His presentation was particularly interesting by pointing out that phones fitted with a vibrating alert almost certainly had a small sparking motor in the phone. It became clear during the questions that the research in the US did not cover the vibrating alert. He also explained that phones could be produced which are intrinsically safe.

Richard Coates of BP then explained the myths and alleged reports of incidents and confusion between mobile phone ignitions and those involving static in the US. He did however state the distraction issue in using mobile phones during filling would mean that BP would support the current ban on mobiles on forecourts.

In the discussions that followed the presentations the mobile phone suppliers view was that the ban should be lifted and with pump and credit card authorisation technology available via the mobile phone there is a strong marketing reason to challenge the existing restrictions.

The meeting did not provide the ultimate answer and Mike Longman explained that the IP were just the facilitator. John Hazledean of the HSE did explain that the UK had a duty in law to comply with the ATEX directive but agreed he would through the HELA structure agree to meet with representatives of the industry (Intellect) to look at the current advice to see if it needed changing.

Tank Remedial Modification Part Two

By Ray King, Director of King Tanktechnic Ltd

To Line or Not to Line

To continue from part one "The Reasons Tanks Leak we would reiterate that the powers now granted to the Government Environment Agency from April 1999 allow inspectors to ensure that tanks and their infrastructure, pipes and pumps are liquid tight before any leak takes place. The power granted enables EA. inspectors to issue improvement orders called 'work notices' which, once issued, becomes part of a prosecution procedure should they be ignored and can lead to imprisonment or large fines upon conviction.

Some 40% of our drinking water is derived from groundwater. Therefore, given local ground conditions which allow the migration of spilt petroleum products, a few litres of product can pollute many thousands of litres of groundwater.

Owners of retail and commercial underground storage tanks (U.S.T.s) have a duty to protect the public, the environment and their own capital infrastructure from leaking U.S.T.s and must take into account that many UK insurance companies regard unprotected single skin U.S.T.s as a major risk

Flexible Inliner under Vacuum Test and, in some cases, will not offer insurance cover for off site and the owner site cleaning and ground remediation costs if the damage is caused by leaks.

Tank lining is the easiest way to afford protection from leaks and we must stress that tank lining is not a temporary solution but a very long term permanent upgrade system.

T h e estimated cost saving can be more than 50% of the replacement tank cost

dependent upon the system of retrofit lining chosen. Apart from the overall cost saving of undertaking a tank lining you do not need to obtain planning permission. There are no civil engineering excavations required, the work is undertaken, in most cases, without interrupting normal business and losing customers and turnover. The work can be used as a 'one tank' remediation modification and full site upgrades are a very viable

Double Skin Lining with Electrostatic Protection System

Leaking tank prior to removal

alternative to tankage replacement.

We have found that 80% of tank leaks we have had to investigate are caused by internal corrosion which is completely stopped after tank lining.

The tank is lined after the residual product is removed. A full manentry tank clean and de-gassing

procedure is undertaken.

It is a requirement of current HSE guidance and IP/APEA information that prior to re-lining a full inspection of the tank internal is undertaken by a competent person, including extensive ultrasonic thickness testing and recording the extent of any corrosion and the cause to both internal and external

Inspection of G.R.P laminate prior to final coating

surfaces.

A comprehensive report shall be issued including the age of the tank, the type of backfill and all nondestructive testing results. This report also confirms the suitability of the tank to become a donor tank for an upgrade re-lining system. The internal tank surface is abrasive blast cleaned, any perforations are mechanically repaired. The tank is

Regulators work in partnership to help retailers

by The Environment Agency

The Environment Agency was delighted to launch a new guidance document at the recent International Fuel and Forecourt equipment event at the NEC. "Wetstock Reconcilation at Fuel Storage Facilities: An Operators Guide" was released just in time for the show and over 1000 copies were distributed to representatives of all sectors of the industry.

The "self help" guide is an introduction to wetstock reconciliation for site operators. It describes the theory of wetstock reconciliation and shows some worked examples of the mathematics. It goes on to explain many of the causes of variance affecting wetstock reconciliation and how to generate a "normal operating pattern" for the site. It then goes on to explain what to do in the event of a deviation from the normal operating pattern.

The guide has been written by a project team from the Agency's

North West Region after inspections of petrol filling stations were carried out jointly by the Agency and Petroleum Licensing Officers. These joint inspections were carried out on petrol filling stations located on Groundwater Source Protection Zones.

Having carried out several joint inspections in Lancashire, it became evident that many of the

Single Skin System

The system can be applied both by the hand rolling method using laminating techniques or spray application. The most commonly used lining materials are vinylester or polyester glass flake composites and glass fibre laminates and advanced solvent free epoxy systems.

The lining system is bonded to the existing internal steel tank wall therefore building a 'tank within a tank.' The final thickness of this fully cured lining shall be between 1mm and 3mm thick dependent upon the system used

Double Skin Systems

After completion of the Single Skin System (the first stage of a Double Skin System) the second stage is to build an interstitial space which will form the foundation for the final stage of construction - the forming of the secondary tank using similar materials used in the application of the Single Skin System.

This inner secondary tank is constantly monitored by an explosion proof fully approved alarm control which will record a change within the interstitial space should the tank leak and gives both a visual and an audible alarm...

Bladder In-liner

A flexible leak protection 1 g 11 d a 'Bag Liner' or 'Bladder' is fabricated from a PVC or other approved fabric. The donor tank has a fleece or polystyrene honeycomb fabric fitted to form an interstitial space. The bladder/bag is installed and a vacuum is generated between the tank wall and inliner which is linked to a monitoring control system.

For successful installation of Inliners it is required that the donor tank be sound and able to stand a pressure test. For the leak detection system to be effective, this may require single skin tank remediation prior to installation of the Inliner

Electrostatic Protection

All lining systems installed in Europe and used for the storage of inflammable liquids belonging to Class 1 and Class 11 shall have an Electrostatic protection system installed and should be earth conductive to avoid static build up.

This information is provided by Raymond King, Director King Tanktechnic Ltd., telephone 0161-684 8534. Mr King has over 40 years experience working as an Engineer on tanking projects in the UK., Europe and the Farm and MIddle East on both downstream and upstream operations.

Articles sites did not have adequate leak detection systems in place and some sites were doing no wetstock reconciliation at all.

It was clear that these site operators needed support to improve their operations on site and so the Environment Agency and

Lancashire County Council Trading

Standards set up a partnership and provided training courses for almost 100 retailers across the county.

A project team was then set up to produce an easy-to-use guide for site operators to implement on site.

County Councillor Doreen Pollitt said: "Petrol can be a very dangerous product and any leak or escape can result in both the risk of fire and explosion and pollution of the environment. This guide will enable petrol retailers to monitor their wetstock more closely and help in the earlier detection of leaks for the benefit and safety of businesses, residents and the environment. The project is a good example of how working in partnership can bring real benefits to the community and businesses of

Lancashire."

The guide is targeted at sites which do not have leak detection equipment in place and which do not carry out adequate wetstock reconciliation. It has been written with the intention of helping these sites to improve their own operations whilst incurring little cost.

The inspectors accept that on many of these sites more advanced leak detection procedures would be preferable but we also acknowledge that these advanced procedures require capital investment that may not be available.

The joint inspections are continuing in North West Region and the operating agreement is about to be adopted in some other regions to allow them to benefit from the efficiencies it provides. The new guide will be distributed during the inspections and advice and guidance will be offered to support the guide. The Environment Agency is confident that the widespread use of the guide will improve the quality of wetstock reconcilation with the benefit of protecting the environment.

Jo Bradley, Environment Officer at the Environment Agency, said, " During our site visits, many sites were found which did not have leak detection equipment in place and which did not carry out adequate wetstock reconciliation. These sites are all located in vulnerable locations where any loss of product to the ground can cause groundwater pollution and it is essential that leak detection is carried out. If a leak of fuel into the groundwater goes undetected, large volumes of fuel will cause significant pollution and may get into drinking water supplies. The clean up of such a loss and the removal of fuel from drinking water are extremely expensive operations and can cost many hundreds of thousands of pounds". The guide is freely available from the Environment Agency by contacting Jo Bradley at: jo.bradley@environmentagency.gov.uk.

Operating Agreement between the Environment Agency and the South East Licencing Co-ordinating Group

The Environment Agency and 28 Local Authority members of SELCOG signed an operational agreement on Tuesday 18th March 2003 to ensure the safe storage of petroleum and other related products though the exchange of information and co-operative enforcement work.

Representatives from both parties met at the London Fire Brigade offices in London to sign the agreement. The agreement is only one of a number of initiatives that contribute to the Agency's overall Groundwater Pollution Prevention campaign programme and has already attracted interest from other petroleum licensing groups, major oil companies such as Texaco and Esso and leading supermarkets.

Howard Davidson, Head of Process Management, signing on behalf of the Environment Agency said: "Protection of groundwater resources in England and Wales is a key priority for the Agency, largely

because of its importance for public water supply and because it helps maintain healthy river flows. "If underground fuel storage tanks and pipe work leak, it is not always immediately obvious and if not dealt with quickly can cost £100,000s to clean up the contamination.

The agreement will enable us to share information with Local Authorities and industry to enable us to better protect the environment. "Co-ordinating site visits and sharing areas of regulatory expertise has enabled Agency Environment Officers and Local Authorities' Petrol Licensing Officers (PLOs) to identify sites posing a high risk to groundwater and to encourage other petrol retailers and operators to follow suit and improve operational and storage practices on a voluntary basis".

Chair of the South East Licensing Co-ordinating Group (SELCOG) Steve Rowe signed the agreement on behalf of its members and said: "I am delighted to be signing on behalf of the members of SELCOG. "This is an excellent example of government bodies working successfully together and is the culmination of eighteen months negotiation with the individual members of the group and the Environment Agency.

Joint inspections have proved successful in raising awareness of the environmental duties of the Agency within each organisation and amongst petrol retailers, at ground and at management level. The operational agreement will build on these foundations and formalise our partnership approach."

Howard Davidson added: "The Agency is developing plans for similar agreements, with major national companies as well as with other PLA groups across England and Wales, to ensure groundwater pollution prevention is taken more seriously.Hydrocarbons are a major polluter of groundwater and it is hoped that a partnership approach will go some way to tackling the problem".

contamination by Peter Hendricks

Bluewater Environment

Costly and disruptive cross contamination of diesel and gasoline at retail sites and fuel depots will be a thing of the past thanks to the new Risbridger designed 'RIS-Cop' cross over prevention valve.

The precision engineered valve RIS-Cop, incorporating the unique invention of the Chemical Fuse, is fitted to fuel inlet pipes and will automatically trigger the shut off mechanism when the fuse 'fails' following an attempted delivery of the wrong product. RIS-Cop is engineered to close within 3 seconds from the detection of a prespecified contaminant, but is not sensitive to either delivery pressure or flow-rate.

RIS-Cop is a safe and simple way of protecting petroleum 'liquid assets', saving considerable disruption to site operations, customer inconvenience and cost. Marketed exclusively by Bluewater Environment Limited, RIS-Cop replaces standard four inch couplings and with the inclusion of the unique and intrinsically safe Chemical Fuse, designed to fail physically under the chemical action of the contaminant, provides constant protection in all operating conditions.

With just a three second shut off time, a contamination percentage of less than 0,04% will be expected in a typical service station tank.

RIS-Cop features include a butterfly valve, which will not restrict delivery flow, an integral relief valve to prevent excessive shock pressure in the delivery hose when activated, an optional safe sealing cap and drain plug to remove the incorrect fuel from the hose. A 'shut off' indicator is also included and it is fully 'tamper' proof. Fuses can be easily replaced after being activated or for tank product changes.

Safety is paramount and Bluewater will provide operating instructions to both site and delivery staff including hose drain down procedures. Stainless steel containers with earthing clip, able to hold up to 30 litres of product, and ancillary equipment will also be available. Drained fuel from the hose can be safely reintroduced into the correct fill pipe.

The teaming of Bluewater, an Adler & Allan and E&S Pump & Forecourt Services joint venture company, with Risbridger engineering technology and the MassTech patented Chemical Fuse, provides the components of a successful partnership. RIS-cop is seen by many as a remarkable 'breakthrough' product for the petroleum industry, saving on costs, operational disruption to sites and customer inconvenience. Preproduction units are currently undergoing extensive field trials.

For further details, please contact:

Andrew Clarke E&S Pumps, Witney, Oxon. Tel No. 01993 772451

Annie Risbridger Risbridger, Redhill, Surrey Tel No. 01883 743107

Bluewater Environment Limited 17 Witney Road Ducklington Witney Oxon. OX29 7TX The Forecourt Show

by Martin McTague

"…the most effective corrosion protection is provided when high quality coatings and an appropriate cathodic protection system are used in combination"

This is advice given by IP/APEA Guidance for the Design, Construction, Modification and Maintenance of Petrol Filling Stations (Blue Book).

In November last year DEFRA published a new Ground Water Protection Code. This is an approved code under Regulation 21 of the Groundwater Regulations 1998 which gives the Environment Agency powers to prohibit, or control, any activity which may risk polluting groundwater.

In section 3.17 it states: "coatings should not be relied upon as the sole means of preventing corrosion. Other measures would include effective leak detection systems and, where appropriate, cathodic protection."

It also makes it clear in section 4.6 that when assessing the risk to groundwater the authorities would regard the absence of cathodic protection as factor that

will increase the risk of a leak.

In section A3.15 it discusses methods of assessing corrosion and states "This data, once collected, can be analysed using a standard method to determine the probability of a leak caused by corrosion, both at present and in the future. Assessment of corrosion probability will help to decide if urgent action is required, e.g. the fitting of cathodic protection, tank lining or the replacement of a tank."

But what is Cathodic Protection and why should tank owners consider this technology as part of managing underground storage risks and where can they get detailed advice?

In December the Institute of Petroleum published a new guidance document to provide information on the safe and effective use of cathodic protection (CP) to prevent external corrosion of underground steel storage tanks and associated pipework. The following article should help give you some of the answers.

So what is Cathodic Protection?

Cathodic protection is an electrochemical process that can be used to prevent corrosion attacking underground tanks, pipes and structures. In order to understand how cathodic protection works, it is helpful to first understand the corrosion process.

Steel, the most common metal protected by cathodic protection, is produced from iron ore. To produce steel, the iron ore is subjected to a refining process that adds energy. Once the steel is put back into the environment, it begins to revert back to its original state (i.e. iron ore) by releasing the added energy back into the surrounding environment. This process of dispersing energy is called corrosion.

Cathodic protection electrodes, called anodes, are placed near, and connected to, the structure to be protected (i.e. the underground tank & pipework). At a service station the cathodic protection system works by passing an electrical current from the anode to the underground tank system (cathode). This process maintains the energy level on the tank, thus stopping it from corroding. Instead, the anode corrodes, sacrificing itself to maintain the integrity of the tank & connected metallic pipework.

Figure 1: Basic Corrosion Cell

Benefits

Cathodic protection will prevent corrosion on buried steel tanks a n d pipework, it supplements the corrosion CP Rectifier Transformer