MEETING THE BIOFUEL COMPLIANCE CHALLENGE
Jeff Conroy from Authentix discusses the challenges and possible solutions for the quality assurance and source integrity of renewable biofuels Increased reliance on biofuels to meet mandated greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions is increasing demand. Aside from the impact increased biofuel levels have on the ease of storage of the blends, the efficient running of a combustion engine, and the lower energy density of the blends, there is serious concern regarding sourcing increasing volumes of biocomponents to meet demand. The production of biofuels from non-sustainable sources or energy intensive processes can lead to reduced benefit or even an overall increase in […]
THE REAL REACH OF REMOTELY OPERATED ROBOTICS
Christophe Bordeleau runs through Eddyfi Technologies’ inspection services when it comes to testing, sampling, and data collection activities within storage tanks, the industry has undoubtedly witnessed the trend towards increased productivity offered with robotic solutions. In an age where the ‘by hand or unmanned’ question is being asked more and more with the heightened priority towards worker and environmental safety, the benefits of mobile inspection robots help make the decision easy. When faced with work at heights, within confined spaces, or other hazardous regions encountered at tank terminals, robots present a welcomed safer alternative for routine operations. Eddyfi Technologies, a […]
HYDROGEN AND ELECTROFUELS ENTER THE STAGE
Eva Ravn Nielsen from Ramboll says that the switch to green hydrogen and electrofuels is starting now and will dominate from 2030 and onwards. She looks at storage and production options, and uses On 14 june 2021, the plans for kickstarting the transition from fossil fuels to renewables of all shipping in the Baltic Sea region were announced. The new fuels may be green ammonia, methanol or hydrogen made from water electrolysis and powered by wind energy. The specific project, Bornholm Bunker Hub, aims at establishing infrastructure for fuel storage and bunkering, refurbishing vessels to run on new fuels and […]
THE NEW NORMAL
How BASF is now using both robitics and digitalisation to improve maintenance and inspection THE BASF group is the largest chemical company in the world. The six major segments (chemicals, materials, industrial solutions, surface technologies, nutrition & care, and agricultural solutions) supply a whole range of chemical products and solutions to all kinds of industries. The BASF group has a global manufacturing footprint. The six ‘Verbund sites’ (Nanjing in China, Kuantan in Malaysia, Antwerp in Belgium, Ludwigshafen in Germany, Geismar in the US and Freeport in the US) are the centre of this manufacturing footprint thanks to their high degree […]
USING ROBOTS FOR EASY, ACCURATE, VERTICAL WELDS
Gert Jørgensen from Inrotech tells Tank Storage Magazine about the benefits of using small, mobile crawler robots for large, vertical welds on storage tanks WHAT WERE THE ORIGINS OF INROTECH? We were born out of the shipbuilding industry. Here in Odense in Denmark there was a shipyard owned by Maersk, that was recognised as the most automated shipyard in the world. The founder of Inrotech, Flemming Jørgensen, my brother, was working at the shipyard as a robot consultant. While he was doing that, he got an idea about how to do things differently. Typically, you have a robot sitting […]
INSPECTING IN-SERVICE TANKS
Diakont’s inspection crawler technology provides reliable data and reduces tank downtime to ensure tank integrity A key fact of life for operators of petroleum and petrochemical facilities and terminals with tank storage is performing recurring inspections that assess the integrity of those tanks, determine what maintenance or repair is needed, and confirm that the tanks are suitable to stay in service. These inspections are conducted as a matter of professional prudence, but also to meet underwriting requirements, and to comply with regulations; which often follow an industry code such as API 653 or EEMUA 159. Many of these inspections are […]
TAXONOMY OF HYDROGEN INCIDENTS AND HOW TO DESIGN SAFER PLANTS
Safety expert Laurentiu Zamfirescu explains the importance of risk management during the design process to ensure a robust and safe plant The hydrogen industry, as any new industry, presents risks that are not well known, and costly mistakes due to uncontrolled events can take place. Perhaps the first well known major hydrogen accident is the Hindenburg airship fire that led to the death of 35 passengers. Since then, the general public has associated hydrogen with danger. Implementing lessons learned from accidents is an important tool to be applied during all project lifecycle phases. HYDROGEN’S HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES Hydrogen, under certain conditions, […]
FULL CONTAINMENT LNG TANKS – THE ECONOMICAL CHOICE
A look at the considerations for LNG storage, with American Tank & Vessel and Cashman Preload Cryogenics With global pressure on petroleum storage, it is as important as ever to make good, economic choices in LNG/NGL storage selection. Often, full containment storage systems can support better economics and similar schedules versus single containment or double containment systems. Each job and design case are unique, and the overall system needs to be designed for each project. However, on multiple occasions an outer concrete containment structure is a better economic choice and is quickly becoming the new standard. FEED STUDIES LEAD TO […]
INTEGRATED GEAR BOX FOR SINGLE-FLOW TWIN SCREW PUMPS
A cost-saving alternative to inverter and pole changing motors Germany-based Fristam Pumpen Schaumburg has established a comprehensive portfolio of single-flow twin screw pumps for tank storage and chemical applications under the brand VPS-Pumps. The strong growth of this comparatively new concept is based on the advantages of simple maintenance, low life-cycle costs and high flexibility in terms of a wide speed range. René Linck, product manager for Fristam Pumpen Schaumburg, says: ‘The ability to empty the pipes and tanks (residual discharge) and the constant flow rates with different media and viscosities, make the single-flow twin screw pump a superior technical […]
DIGITALISING FRONTLINE OPERATIONS WITH SMARTFLOW
Smartflow’s Connected Worker platform is changing the way Vopak works Digital transformation is impacting all industries as data collection and exchange are creating new and valuable opportunities. Companies are working on creating a connected and collaborative work environment. More and more businesses are aware of the other risks generated by integrating too many different applications within a system, the lack of standardisation of processes, or disorganised data gathering. All these inefficient processes lead to a lack of business agility, and technology that is not effectively integrated, burdening workers rather than connecting and supporting them. THE CONNECTED WORKER PLATFORM Smartflow […]
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF BULK LIQUID STORAGE
Addison Armstrong from ClearDox looks at new trends in the industry Digitalisation has permeated virtually every sector of the economy, and has changed the way that companies understand inventories, manage supply chains, and utilise resources. Until recently, the bulk liquid storage industry stood out as a notable laggard in this transformation with many companies continuing to use outdated approaches in their day-to-day operations. That has started to change. Tank storage operators, lessees and lenders have struggled with stale inventory data for years. Critical information is typically maintained and updated on complex spreadsheets, a manual process that is slow, error-prone, and […]
INSTANT INVENTORY INSIGHTS, WHEREVER YOU HAPPEN TO BE
Per Skogberg from Emerson explains how mobile software can help to digitally transform operations by enabling immediate access to tank data, from anywhere The ability to instantly access up-to-date critical tank data is essential for an increasing number of job functions in the tank storage and terminals industry. Operations and maintenance personnel, whether in the control room or out in the field, must know the current status of all tanks and have a clear overview of every transfer happening at a facility, to help them take the right action faster. Finance departments need up-to-date inventory data to enable accurate […]
CURRENT AND FUTURE TRENDS IN LNG
Poten & Partners’ Global LNG Outlook examines economic drivers for LNG supply and demand over the next 10 years Expectations of strong natural gas demand growth over the next decade – combined with likely short-term strength as the global economy recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – have scrambled the outlook for project developers and buyers alike. IN QATAR For some suppliers like Qatar, the new landscape offers enough upside to justify large new investments in capacity that remains largely unsold. Qatar Petroleum, the world’s largest LNG supplier is just the latest global energy company to move ahead […]
THE LPG MARKET’S EVER-EVOLVING COMPLEXITY
NGLStrategy’s Emma Lamb reports on the LPG global outlook and tradeflows The ramifications of the global COVID-19 pandemic have been felt in many commodities including liquid petroleum gas (LPG). As a byproduct, the ultimate levels of LPG produced are highly governed by the crude oil and natural gas markets. 2020 saw global oil prices crash as lockdown restrictions curtailed demand. OPEC+ curtailed crude oil production with US and other non-OPEC countries production also adjusting to the new global balance. The number of rigs in the US fell and production of oil and natural gas came under pressure with some major […]
COLONIAL PIPELINE OUTAGE HIGHLIGHTED TERMINAL OPERATIONAL ISSUES
Cathy Landry at ILTA looks at the extent of the impact on US terminals of the DarkSide ransomware attack that brought down the Colonial Pipeline The recent ransomware attack that brought Colonial Pipeline – and nearly the entire East Coast petroleum product supply chain – to its knees highlighted operational issues where the terminal industry could help overall fuel supply resilience with assistance from regulators. It also made clear the need for greater emergency contingency planning and dialogue between terminal operators, US Coast Guard headquarters, local captains of the port, governors, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Two specific […]
CHANGING TRENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Bidvest Tank Terminals’ David Leisegang tells Tank Storage Magazine about the company’s LPG storage facility Liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, is a clean-burning hydrocarbon, usually propane or butane, or both, used as a heating and cooking fuel. It emits much less CO2 per unit of energy than coal or diesel when burned and releases fewer particulates. Demand for LPG is growing around the world as countries seek to move away from more polluting fossil fuels both to improve the health of their populations and as part of climate change efforts. South Africa is one such country, and has plans […]
STICK TO WHAT YOU’RE GOOD AT
Briggs Marine provides waterfront services to Stanlow Terminals in the UK. The two companies tell Tank Storage Magazine why outsourcing is the best option StanloW terminals (STL) is the biggest independent tank terminal storage company in the UK. It has two sites in the northwest of England, in Stanlow on the Manchester Ship Canal, and in Tranmere on the River Mersey. The two sites between them have 241 tanks with a total capacity of 3 million m3. STL itself is actually quite a new company, carved out in January 2020 from Essar Oil UK, which still owns the Stanlow Refinery […]
GREEN AND GOLD
LBC Tank Terminals was recently awarded the EcoVadis gold status for its sustainability focus. LBC’s management team tells Tank Storage Magazine more LBC Tank terminals is an independent firm which owns and operates seven terminals in Houston, Freeport, and Baton Rouge in the US, Antwerp in Belgium, and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In 2017, it sold its terminals in southern Europe to focus on the US Gulf Coast and the Antwerp-Rotterdam region, the two most active liquid bulk trading hubs in the world. ‘We have been operating successfully for over 70 years and can rely on a highly supportive and […]
THE SCALE AND THE CHALLENGE
In the fourth of our ‘Women in Tanks’ series, Xiling ‘Tess’ Zhou talks about her affinity to the industry and the joy of an international community It’s fair to say that Xiling ‘Tess’ Zhou loves the tank storage industry, and she is a bit of a newcomer. Having spent much of her career with technology companies in the US and Belgium, she found herself looking for a new challenge in early 2015 and began to seek out meetings with companies in various industries. It was LBC Tank Terminals that caught her attention. ‘I felt an immediate affinity to the […]
THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION
TWTG’s CTO John Tillema provides insights into the benefits of LoRaWAN When an IT architect plans any industrial network capable of supporting a next-generation oil or gas facility over potentially the next couple of decades, it will always be reliability and security at the top of the priority list. Very swiftly follow functionality, scalability, and future flexibility. Getting the balance right is always difficult and depends significantly on the demands and ambitions. Today, as technology advances at a remarkable pace, IT architects are deliberating on which technology protocol to base their designs. Traditionally, networks were only ever based upon hardwired […]
EXPANDING IN OMAN
OTTCO’s CEO Ard Van Hoof updates Tank Storage Magazine on developments in Ras Markaz and Duqm as well as the implications of COVID-19 and the energy transition Things are busy for Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO) at the moment, between building and expansion work at its Ras Markaz crude oil hub, and a new agreement signed with Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO). It seems, then, a great time to speak to OTTCO CEO Ard Van Hoof, about his company and its plans. ‘OTTCO is a member of Duqm Economic Special Zone (SEZAD), having joined in 2012. OTTCO was established with […]
ADVANCEMENT THROUGH INVOLVEMENT
ILTA’s first Young Terminal Industry Professionals (Y-TIP) Symposium explored how best to support under-35s in the industry On 6 April 2021, the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) held its inaugural Young Terminal Industry Professionals (Y-TIP) Symposium, supported by Aramco and Tank Storage Magazine. It was aimed at young terminal industry professionals, their managers and mentors, and others who wanted to learn more about the best ways to recruit, retain and support the careers of young terminal industry professionals. The event was hosted by ILTA president Kathryn Clay. ‘We are actively looking forward to hearing from all of you what else […]
VAPOUR CONTROL FOR CRUDE OIL STORAGE
Aereon’s Marco Puglisi looks at the challenges and solutions The aim of vapour control is to reduce emissions of harmful or toxic substances into the atmosphere. Vapour control is particularly important for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from end-of-pipe operations, such as the loading, storage and distribution of volatile organic liquids like gasoline and naphtha. The presence of VOCs in the atmosphere creates pollution and has a harmful impact for two main reasons. Combined with the UV rays from the sun, they enhance the formation of ozone (O3), which has an adverse effect for human health and vegetation. Also, […]
MANAGING VAPOUR RECOVERY SYSTEMS WELL
Jeff Robson from Flotech, an Adler and Allan company, looks at the options Controlling volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution through vapour recovery systems, such as those employing carbon adsorption, was cemented into legislation in 1996. As most units are now 16–25 years old, owners are likely to be looking to upgrade or decommission them. However, with the need to diversify energy infrastructure in the race to net-zero, it can be difficult to justify the cost of managing ageing hydrocarbon infrastructure. LEGISLATION It was estimated that in 1988 the evaporation of hydrocarbon […]
REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINTS AND COSTS OF OPERATION
Zeeco’s Marty Smith discusses downstream terminal emission control equipment The petroleum industry continues to search for ways to reduce operating costs on the downstream terminal level, while still maintaining company cultures and meeting business commitments. Environmental rules are typically updated each year to drive down emissions, reduce occurrences of spills, and improve the overall safety of operations. While working toward continuous improvement in those areas has been a positive for the industry, it has continued to increase the cost of operations. Even now, capital expense decisions are being strongly based on environmental social and corporate governance (ESG) thought processes, deciding […]
NO-MAN-ENTRY: THE SAFEST, MOST EFFICIENT METHOD OF TANK CLEANING
AWE’s robotic technology minimises human risk and maximises productivity Asia Waterjet Equipment’s (AWE’s) mission is to champion a safer and more efficient environment for customers and their workforce. It understands the problems customers can face in industrial cleaning applications and seeks to address these with technology and expertise. Obtaining permits to work, mobilisation and training of personnel all eat into productive time and increase costs. To support this, AWE has partnered with the best technology providers in the sector, to offer both sale and rental options for projects with CAPEX constraints and have a team of expert operators ready to […]
AUTOMATED TANK LEAK DETECTION USING OPTICAL GAS IMAGING
Opgal’s Ram Hashmonay looks at the benefits of long-range technology Optical gas imaging (OGI) technology has proved to be a very effective tool for locating small leaks and fugitive emissions in petroleum refineries and other oil and gas facilities. Traditionally, OGI technology is primarily portable, mid-wave infrared (MWIR), cryogenically cooled detector cameras, for imaging volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Since its inception in the early 2000s, OGI technology has gradually developed along with the slow regulatory process and acceptance. OGI technology is currently the preferred technology for detecting leaks and emissions of hydrocarbon compounds worldwide. The technology is based on thermal […]
A FUTUREPROOF APPROACH TO LEAK DETECTION
Atmos International’s innovative, non-intrusive solutions for pipeline leak detection can be deployed anywhere they are needed with 3.5 million km of pipeline throughout the world and with this to increase by a further 12% by 2022, pipelines are still the safest form of transport for the supply of energy, as they are less exposed to environmental and socioeconomic risks. However, with the social movement to a clean and sustainable renewable energy economy, pipelines’ future will depend on the technology that can be applied to their construction, operation and maintenance. The application and management of operational software and leak detection systems […]
OT INSIGHT – THE OT MONITORING SOLUTION
Ilya Tillekens from Hudson Cybertec looks at how to protect operational technology infrastructure from cyber threats Current threats require tank terminal organisations to be aware of security at all times. Do you know how secure your operational technology (OT) infrastructure is at this moment? Specifically of your OT network? Is your infrastructure adequately protected against cyber threats like unknown or rogue devices, (new) vulnerabilities and malware like ransomware? To protect your OT network environment, threats must be identified and acted upon as soon as they are detected. Suspicious network traffic must be analysed and measures taken before an incident occurs. […]
THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE FOR INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS
Learn about the importance of operational technology security and how Procentec’s four new solutions can help The importance of IT security has been acknowledged by experts for years, whereas securing industrial control systems seems to have been overlooked. Whilst attacks on operational technology (OT) environments are becoming more frequent, companies are looking for ways to eliminate network vulnerabilities and bridge the gap between OT and IT. Procentec, the global leader in diagnostic and monitoring solutions, has sparked a widespread interest in the industry with the release of four major solutions to strengthen industrial network security. SPOTTING BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL […]
HOW A SUEZ CANAL BLOCKADE AFFECTS OIL FLOWS
Vortexa analysts examine the consequences of the Ever Given’s grounding The blockade of the Suez Canal by the grounded mega-containership Ever Given for close to a week in late March 2021 made it onto news channels worldwide. The reason is that sizeable chunks of global seaborne trade pass through the bottleneck daily, including various relevant clean and dirty oil flows. This article will review the extent to which oil flows were disrupted/delayed and how close the world was to serious supply outages. SUEZ CANAL AS A MAJOR WORLD CHOKEPOINT The grounding of the Ever Given has done more than shed […]
ONE YEAR ON
Alex Booth from Kpler looks at how global crude storage levels are adjusting to a post COVID-19 environment the rapid build-up of crude oil-on-water and the subsequent transition to onshore inventories through the second quarter of 2020 has been well covered, including in a previous article for this publication (see p42 in August/September 2020) Since peaking in early July at 3.77 billion bbl, onshore inventories drew by 770,000 bpd through the second half of the year, hitting 3.64 billion bbl by the end of December 2020. Since that point, global inventories as tracked by Kpler have moved largely sideways. Data […]
