SUSTAINABILITY: A LONG-TERM BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Øistein Jensen, chief sustainability officer at Odfjell, looks at the business challenges and opportunities of climate change The challenge is obvious. Sustainability is about meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. But already in July 2022, we will mark the Earth Overshoot Day, the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that year. Climate change is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges of our times. Global warming is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, mainly from human activities, such as […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF LARGE-SCALE STORAGE FOR THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY
Catherine Gras, CEO of Storengy UK and Germany, examines the options Catherine Gras THE ROLE OF NATURAL GAS STORAGE TODAY Underground storage is a crucial component of today’s natural gas markets. Storage brings a number of benefits to gas users. A storage is a tool to manage efficiently volume and price risks, storing energy when it is less needed and when prices are lower, and taking it back when there is a higher consumption or when prices are higher. In addition to risk management, storage also allows to reduce the overall cost of the gas system and to manage temporary […]
CHEAP AND SAFE HYDROGEN STORAGE
Didier Wesoly and Louis Londe from Geostock explain the four options for storing hydrogen Hydrogen has been identified as an energy carrier that could play a major role in decarbonation, and green hydrogen is seen as a possible substitute for fossil fuel. This will lead to a large usage of hydrogen in the near future, and these substantial quantities of hydrogen will require large storage capacities. Surface facilities to store hydrogen, like spheres, pressure vessels or trailers are suitable for small quantities, less than 50 tonnes, but alternative solutions must be implemented to store larger quantities. Underground storage will be […]
FLOW BATTERIES BOOSTING THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Elestor’s Guido Dalessi explains the benefits of HBr flow batteries Electrification, renewable energy sources and innovation are set to help the world on its way to achieving its climate and carbon neutrality targets by the 2050s. However, as yet there is no answer to this question: how can a stable electricity supply be guaranteed with no fossil-fuel baseload? Nowadays, there are rarely times when too little electricity is produced, as is evidenced by negative electricity markets. When the weather conditions favour high renewable energy production at a time of low demand, power plants are switched off and renewable electricity generation […]
PROJECTS AND PUNK
Heather Parsons from Elmac Technologies tells Tank Storage Magazine about her life with valves, flame arresters, cars, and guitars Heather Parsons is a projects coordinator at UK-based company Elmac Technologies, which develops and manufactures flame arresters and pressure protection equipment and has supported the tank storage industry for more than 70 years. ‘As projects coordinator, I spend many hours working on documentation packages for large project orders. This work can be anything from amending an [inspection and test plan] (ITP) to finalising a whole data book,’ says Parsons. Elmac supplies all three major types of flame arresters – in-line deflagration […]
FILLING A NICHE
Being a relatively small, family-run business keeps Wolf Lake Terminals nimble and able to be flexible regarding clients’ requests, Kip Middendorf tells Tank Storage Magazine Wolf Lake Terminals, in Hammond, Indiana, US, is a speciality terminal with 130 aboveground storage tanks, ranging in size from 10,000 bbl to small 2,000 gallon (9,092 L) blend tanks, with a total storage capacity of 22.5 million gallons. The facility also includes a 200,000 sqft warehouse that is dedicated to packaging and storing totes, drums, and dry goods. Tank Storage Magazine spoke to Kip Middendorf, the vice-president and managing director of Wolf Lake Terminals, […]
THE RUSSIAN INVASION AND ENERGY INSECURITY
Ravi Bhatiani from FETSA examines the longer-term effects of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine At the time of writing, we are in a situation of energy insecurity with doubts over continuity of Russian gas supplies. The situation related to reception of Russian oil and related products shipments are already being affected, due to a combination of self-sanctions and difficulties involved in insuring cargoes/vessels and receiving payments for services. In the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there are short-term developments, changing on a weekly basis, such as sanctions, but there are also longer-term impacts. I would like to address […]
SAFETY FIRST
CITGO Petroleum has won no less than 13 ILTA safety awards. Jack McCrossin tells Tank Storage Magazine about keeping CITGO’s operations safe Since 2007, CITGO Petroleum has won the International Liquid Terminals Association’s (ILTA’s) Platinum Safety Award, its most prestigious safety award, six times, and an ILTA Safety Excellence Award seven times. That’s a pretty impressive record by anybody’s standards. ‘To be recognised for superior safety excellence by your peers is humbling and extremely rewarding,’ says Jack McCrossin, manager of environment, health, safety and security (EHSS) at CITGO. As the ILTA 2022 Conference approaches, will CITGO add to its haul? […]
ENABLING A HYDROGEN ECONOMY
Salah Mahdy from Howden looks at the options for hydrogen storage and transportation and what needs to happen next As governments and industries across the world look for ways to become more sustainable, the phrase ‘energy transition’ is becoming increasingly popular. Strictly speaking, the term refers to the decreasing use of fossil fuels in our economy’s energy mix. However, in reality, the term has been extended to mean much more, becoming synonymous with decarbonisation and moves toward a net-zero or low-carbon society. This transition in the energy market is necessary to preserve the needs of future generations and will take […]
EUROPE SEEKS NEW GAS SOURCES AS IT WEANS OFF RUSSIAN IMPORTS
Paul Wiseman discusses the sudden increase in LNG projects and contracts in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine As the eu and other countries have pledged to stop purchasing Russian fossil fuels – especially natural gas – that decision has created a shortage of gas on the international market. The EU and others are scrambling to pivot to LNG by building new regasification plants and searching for available trading partners. This is a tall order, as the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that 45% of the EU’s 2021 natural gas imports originated in Russia, and that this gas made […]
NO GENIE REQUIRED
Christian Amedee tells Tank Storage Magazine how everything came together for NOLA Oil Terminal on the Mississippi in Louisiana, US NOLA Oil Terminal, on the banks of the Mississippi in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, US, will be the first terminal in the region capable of handling New-Panamax and Suezmax vessels, up to 1,200’ (366 m) long and up to 170,000 DWT. Construction recently began on the 10 million bbl oil and refined products terminal, and Tank Storage Magazine spoke to chief operating officer Christian Amedee to find out about the progress on the state-of-the-art development project. A STRATEGIC LOCATION One of […]
LIVE STREAMING A DRONE TANK INSPECTION
ScoutDI performed a tank inspection with live streaming with its Scout137 Drone System and the Scout Portal at Equinor’s Mongstad refinery in Norway ScoutDI carried out a live drone inspection of a large bulk liquid storage tank in front of an on-site audience at Equinor’s facilities in Mongstad, Norway. The inspection was live-streamed to remote stakeholders who watched the inspection in the Scout Portal and guided the on-site inspection crew. Concluding the project, a Scout137 Drone System was delivered to Equinor. Scout137 drone inspections offer: Safety: Improved safety by reducing need to enter hazardous areas Cost savings: Reduced cost by […]
LOADING ARMS FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Kanon’s loading arms have been proven for LNG and are being tested for hydrogen The move towards the development and usage of greener energy is part of the global initiative to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). The energy transition will require updated equipment and new technologies. The safe transfer of energy resources is vital in securing a more sustainable future, so loading arms must be suitable for the new products. Dutch family business Kanon Loading Equipment (KLE) has been developing custom designed and built solutions for marine, road and rail liquid transfer systems for over 43 years. It […]
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX
Tank inspection and monitoring is easier and faster with Percepto AIM’s drone-in-a-box and ground robot technology, offering higher productivity and reduced risk and costs Maximising production without compromising employee safety and the environment is a top priority for anyone in the storage ecosystem, especially when talking about oil and gas tanks. Stakeholders are constantly looking for ways to boost employee safety and reduce their environmental footprint, while also improving their bottom line. Achieving these three goals together often means trading off one aspect for the other. For starters, it would be ideal to carry out tank inspections more often to […]
INSTALLING VAPOUR TREATMENT AT HES HARTEL
John Zink Hamworthy Combustion’s technology ensures HES Hartel meets the strictest emissions regulations The brand new HES Hartel Tank Terminal has been developed at Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Maasvlakte is a massive manmade westward extension of the Europoort port and industrial facility within the Port of Rotterdam, built on land reclaimed from the North Sea. The tank terminal is constructed on a 27 ha site in the strategically located Maasvlakte area. It offers 1.3 million m3 of storage capacity for clean petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, gasoil, and jet fuel) and biofuels. It is specifically designed for […]
THE FUTURE OF TANK CLEANING
DERC Salotech’s MagTrack magnetic crawler carries out storage tank cleaning and surface preparation The new MagTrack of DERC Salotech is the tool for cleaning the inside and outside of storage tanks. With high pressure water jets, it is possible to clean up to SA2.5 for non-destructive research. Whether the task is to clean tanks for changing from black to white product or for UHP paint removal: the MagTrack is the versatile tool for it. CLEANING The MagTrack is a radio-controlled, four-wheeled magnetic crawler with a vacuum blast can at the front, which has a high-pressure rotating swivel and spray bar, […]
A FULL RANGE OF SOLUTIONS FOR TANK CLEANING
Italy’s Gerotto Federico has developed industrial robots for tank cleaning The Italian company Gerotto Federico, which was among the first manufacturers of industrial robots, has been investing for over 20 years in research and development to identify technological solutions that meet the increasingly strict requirements of industrial plants maintenance. Gerotto has always worked to ensure that cleaning operations are effective and efficient, putting operators’ safety first. ‘Our company,’ explains general manager Alessandro Gerotto, ‘develops solutions to make cleaning, reclamation and excavation operations in construction sites, industries and infrastructures, in Italy and around the world, more efficient, safer and more productive. […]
ROBOTICS FOR GOOD MEASURE
Liam Hanna from Eddyfi Technologies on how the right inspection robot can help extend tank service life while a conversation about robots can quickly conjure images of dazzling Hollywood humanoids, this is not what is meant when discussing non-destructive testing (NDT) robotics. In comparison, the mechanical devices may first appear prosaic, but in reality, these powerful workhorses play a starring role in ensuring structural integrity at tank storage facilities. DO WE REALLY NEED ROBOTS? When determining the applicability of robotics for non-destructive evaluation, it is important to remember the underlying goal: to assess the condition of the tank or asset […]
DIGITALISING FRONTLINE OPERATIONS AT THE TERMINAL
Stefana Sopco and Jelle Swanenberg from Smartflow look at how to create and implement standardised processes for field services It is important to identify the needs of terminals and end-users concerning efficiency, time, costs, operations growth. Terminals differ to such extent that global companies with an extensive terminal portfolio have more challenges in creating and implementing standardised processes that complicate the adoption of low- and no-code and traditional software systems. Each terminal might be at different stages of digitalisation. Their differences in history, maturity, culture, geography, team members, local autonomy, and local PNL will impact the global standardisation of processes. […]
MINIMISING THE LIGHTNING RISK ON TANKS
Learn how Météorage lightning detection network can help companies to better manage the risk of lightning on their sites As a dangerous natural phenomenon, thunderstorms are the 25th most common cause of death in the world. According to one large study1, 33% of all oil tank accidents are caused by lightning. Although they are therefore an obvious threat, reliable solutions to minimise the risk of thunderstorms exist for professionals, enabling them to secure their teams, facilities, and operations in a timely and safe manner. Some storage operators in Europe have already equipped themselves with such solutions. Météorage helps companies to […]
A LYNX-EYED SUPPLY CHAIN VIEW
Dearman Systems’ LYNX platform coordinates and manages the entire supply chain Dearman Systems has been providing innovative software solutions to the refined petroleum industry for over three decades. The company’s solutions are primarily used in the storage and transportation segments of this industry. Dearman System’s Terminal Automation System (TAS.net) is used on over 200 storage terminals worldwide. It combines the Internet of Things (IoT) with process control capabilities to automate operations and reduce manual processes to ultimately bring cost savings and operational efficiencies to its users. Dearman’s TAS is able to push and pull data at a given site across […]
IIOT: MAKING SENSE OF EVERYTHING
TWTG looks at the benefits of vibration measuring solutions based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) In 2021, the introduction of TWTG’s Vibration Sensor was warmly welcomed by the market. This year, TWTG will launch the Vibration Sensor Application onto their IIoT platform, SolidRed, and in doing so, unleash the potential far beyond the sensors’ base functionality. This is just the latest addition to the LoRaWAN-based solution that has forced a steady disruption in methods of monitoring oil and gas industry assets. FINGERS CROSSED Go back half a century, and maintenance of rotating equipment was undoubtedly an imprecise science. […]
MOBILE EMISSIONS AND VAPOUR CONTROL FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
David Wendel from Endegs Group explains how mobile emissions treatment can contribute to environmental protection as climate change progresses, improving air quality is becoming an increasing priority. Air pollutant emissions from a wide variety of sources affect air quality, can form acids in the environment or drive the excessive accumulation of nutrients (eutrophication) in ecosystems. Human health can also be adversely affected¹. These emissions are caused by transportation, power generation, industrial processes, agriculture, and many other activities. But by 2050, Europe is to become climate-neutral – no more greenhouse gases (GHG) are to be released into the atmosphere that are […]
THE RIGHT LEVEL MEASUREMENT FOR LIQUEFIED GAS
Emerson’s Johan Sandberg explains how radar gauges support inventory management and overfill prevention in LNG and LPG tank storage applications Level measurement technology is a key component of tank gauging systems for vessels containing liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or other liquefied gases. Reliable liquid level measurements inside complex full containment tanks are vital for inventory management and custody transfer purposes, and to prevent overfills. In liquefied gas applications, level measurement has often been performed with servo technology. A small displacer suspended by a thin wire is connected to a servo gauge on top of the tank. […]
DIGITALLY TRANSFORMING VOPAK
Vopak leverages Oracle ERP cloud to optimise operations, increase agility and improve services after consulting Cognizant engineers Vopak is a leading independent tank storage company with 400 years of experience in storage and transshipment. With a network of 66 terminals in 23 countries, Vopak provides clients with safe facilities to store and handle bulk liquid products and gases that are vital to daily life, from chemicals and gases to biofuels and vegoils. MODERNISATION ON THE AGENDA Seeking an enhanced competitive position and improved service delivery, Vopak’s executive board made digital transformation a priority. Standardising and centralising key back-office functions, the […]
THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF VOPAK
Leo Brand, CIO of Vopak, discusses how the company’s digital transformation has made it safer and more efficient, and shifted the focus from cost to value A successful digital transformation requires the repositioning of IT in the organisation; IT must evolve from a cost centre into an integral part of the value chain. Many asset-heavy companies transform into technology companies, where data drives customer experience and allows the creation of new business models. As a result, many formerly outsourced or bought-in IT functions and solutions are brought in-house. Vopak is a 406-year-old Dutch company which has grown into the leading […]
SCANNING AS MUCH OF THE TANK BOTTOM AS POSSIBLE
Richard Foeke, Rosen Group, discusses how to manage uninspected areas aboveground storage tanks are important assets for terminal owners and operators. Keeping them in service as long as possible and minimising out-of-service time are crucial aspects for safe and efficient operation. Inspection and maintenance play an important role in guaranteeing that the tank is in good condition and set up for operation until the next scheduled turnaround. To make the most reliable statement about the condition of a certain tank component, e.g. the tank bottom, it is important to cover as much of this large area as possible. This means […]
RE-GEN ROBOTICS DRIVES SAFETY AND SERVICE IN TANK CLEANING
The market is waking up to the capabilities of Re-Gen’s technology, says managing director Fintan Duffy A trusted innovator and leader in tank cleaning solutions, Re-Gen Robotics continues to deliver a safer, smarter, faster, more economical way to clean tanks, all whilst providing peace of mind to our customers. Our unparalleled technology and service is being used as a benchmark by competitors but by adding an additional layer of safety to oil terminals and eliminating the risk of injury or death to employees in the surrounding area, we’re now light years ahead of what any other tank cleaning company can […]
CHEAPER, FASTER AND MORE FLEXIBLE
Nico van der Veen, terminal manager at Argent Energy’s terminal in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, tells Tank Storage Magazine how Terra Inspectioneering’s drones have improved Argent’s tank inspections My previous job was working in the sewerage industry, and I don’t like people working in confined spaces, such as in tanks, which is potentially dangerous and sometimes unnecessary. It has become my personal quest – if it’s not necessary to put people in tanks in confined spaces, then they shouldn’t be in confined spaces. That’s where my interest in drones comes in. Together with my colleagues from maintenance we set up the […]
THE INFLUENCE OF HOT STORAGE TANK BASE INSULATION SYSTEMS ON ENERGY AND COST SAVINGS
Storage tanks are used to hold a variety of organic liquids or gases including raw materials, intermediates, final products or usable byproducts. Tanks can vary in design and equipment, and the type of construction depends on the storage temperature and properties of the products being stored. A detailed assessment is necessary to ensure that all aspects are taken into consideration, so products can be stored and handled in the safest and most-efficient manner. The growing worldwide demand for chemical products and proper storage and handling makes energy efficiency of storage tanks a key requirement. Each year, large amounts of energy […]
MAINTAINING ASSET INTEGRITY IN CONTINUOUS PERMAFROST REGIONS 8
A warming environment is a threat to infrastructure built on permafrost. Darren Hughes from Concrete Canvas explains how Concrete on a Roll could help When considering land area, around a quarter of the northern hemisphere has continuous permafrost, that is 23 million km2 where the ground is frozen all year round. This phenomenon is widespread in the Arctic regions of Siberia, Canada, Greenland and Alaska, and even on the floor of the Arctic Ocean as undersea permafrost. The definition of permafrost can be quite complex, but a simple way to think of it is as a layer of soil, rocks […]
SUSTAINABILITY: POSITIONING TO DO WELL BY DOING GOOD
Gary Kalmin from HG Storage International looks at the challenges shaping the tank storage industry Global awareness of sustainability needs and initiatives is rightfully increasing at a rapid pace. Those of us in the energy sector are facing evolving challenges and opportunities which are reshaping the future of our industry. Real change and progress is happening very much at the micro level within specific companies, partnerships and individuals challenging the status quo. There are also clear macro themes and patterns driving innovation, creativity and advancements including regulation, incentives, disincentives, carbon markets, technology and investment. WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY? Sustainability (as defined […]
