The handling and storage of petrol in above-ground and underground tanks must be done under strict safety, environmental, and operational standards. This regulation is necessary to ensure reduced likelihood of leaks, contamination, and accidents that ensure the safety of the facility and nearby communities.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Petrol Depots is one of the critical sets of guidelines that have been instituted to meet the growing need for safer storage and handling of petrol. The new regulations are aimed at reducing environmental hazards, upgrading safety measures, and complying with national and international standards. With the adoption of these new SOPs, petrol depots will be able to lower the risks of accidents, leaks, and contamination, as well as uphold smooth operations and safeguard neighbouring communities.

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Key Highlights of the New SOP

Secondary Containment for Above-Ground Petrol Tanks

One of the essential safety devices for petrol storage facilities above ground is secondary containment. This will keep any leaked petrol from spilling into the environment. Inspections of these containment systems should be conducted on a regular basis to ensure that they are structurally sound and can still be effective at retaining potential leaks. The most used method of secondary containment is a dyked enclosure, which will have to fulfill several strict criteria:

• The tank must be entirely encircled by the dyked region, and the surface should be waterproofed to keep out leaked petrol.
• It should be designed to constrain stormwater or groundwater entry.
• Other containment systems that meet the standards as laid down by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), OISD (Oil Industry Safety Directorate), or PNGRB (Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board) may also be utilized.

Monitoring Systems for Leak Detection

The detection of fuel leaks in petrol storage depots is critical. In the absence of a good monitoring system, a small leak would cause major environmental harm. Following are the monitoring systems which are commonly used:

• Interstitial Monitoring: A hydrocarbon detection system is placed between the tank and its secondary containment barrier to identify any leakage. This system is usually provided with alarms to notify personnel immediately.
• Vapour Monitoring Wells: For certain situations, particularly for underground tanks, vapour monitoring wells can be provided to sense any hydrocarbon vapours that may have leaked through. These wells must be properly designed so that they are not affected by rain, moisture, or other external influences.
• Automatic Tank Gauging: New petrol storage tanks should be equipped with an automatic gauging system that monitors volume balance and offers daily reports. Manual gauging can also be done monthly to validate the accuracy of the automatic system.
• Leakage Response: In the case of leakage that causes contamination of soil or groundwater, the petrol storage depot should report the incident to the local State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Pollution Control Committee (PCC), OISD, PESO, PNGRB, and the District Administration immediately. Immediate corrective measures, including closure of the tank operation, petrol removal to stem further leakage, and safety arrangements to prevent explosions, should be initiated.

Equipment Integrity Test (EIT) for Underground Tanks

This test guarantees that the tanks and fittings are able to hold petrol without leakage. For underground petrol storage tanks, an Equipment Integrity Test (EIT) is required:

• Before any new underground petrol storage tank is commissioned.
• After any modification or upgradation of underground petrol storage tanks. Following repairs due to detected leaks.
• After any repair following the discovery of a leak in the system or replacement of tanks or piping.

Preventing Accidents: Adhering to Legal and Safety Standards

In order to prevent the danger of accidents, petrol depots are required to observe a range of safety provisions:

• Hazardous Chemicals Rules (1989): Petrol stations must adhere to The Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 (amended), which include safety audits, risk assessments, and planning for emergencies.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC): The No Objection Certificate of the fire department is required to be taken by the petrol depot prior to starting operations, according to the laws applicable.
• Emergency Readiness: The depot has to prepare an on-site and off-site emergency response plan and regularly hold mock drills. It has to adhere to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) emergency response guidelines.
• Fire and Explosion Safety: Depots should put in place safety protocols to confine and avert fire or explosion hazards. This involves the presence of an alarm system to inform neighbouring residents in the event of an emergency.

Location and Siting of Petrol Depots

The location of a petrol depot plays an important role in reducing risk to the surrounding environment and communities.

• Compliance with Safety Buffer Zones: Petrol depot should be at least 250 to 300 meters away from residential, industrial, commercial and other residential areas. This buffer zone helps in reducing the risk to life and property in case of fire, explosive or other fire accident.
• Proximity to Water Bodies: New petrol depots must be located at least 100 meters away from surface water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and streams. This confirms that in the event of a spill, the contaminated water does not directly enter ecosystems, further reducing environmental harm.
• Ecological Sensitivity Considerations: When granting consent to establish or operate a new petrol depot, State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) must consider the ecological sensitivity of the region. Local laws and regulations must also be followed to inhibit setting up depots in sensitive environmental areas.

Decommissioning of Petrol Storage Tanks

Upon decommissioning a petrol storage tank, a number of procedures are required to be undertaken to manage the environment appropriately:

• Before dismantling above-ground or underground storage tanks, all petrol shall be stripped out and discarded in an environmentally friendly way.
• Flammable vapours and dangerous waste, like tank sludge, should be disposed of safely.
• Prior to the dismantling of any tank, the petrol depot has to seek authorization from the concerned statutory body SPCB/ PCC. 
• The petrol depot at the time of permanent decommissioning must ensure that the site is investigated for any potential environmental contamination from an expert institution and submit the report to the concerned SPCB / PCC. 

Conclusion

The environmental and safety responsibility of petrol storage depots is essential in avoiding accidents and reducing the impact of harmful substances such as petrol. Complying with standards established by MoPNG, OISD, PESO, SPCB, and CPCB ensures that depots can lower the risk of leaks, fires, and groundwater contamination to a considerable extent. Installation of effective secondary containment systems, leak detection technologies, and regular equipment maintenance ensures that both workers and the local community are safe.

Furthermore, there needs to be decommissioning correctly to avoid environmental damage from decommissioned tanks and equipment for a long period. Through following such practices, depots create a safer world and make sure that their processes are environmentally safe. Cooperation between depot operators, the public, and regulatory agencies is essential for maintaining high levels of safety as well as seeing that all rules are followed.