NPA To Examine Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks

The National Petroleum Authority has announced plans to secure the services of a consultant to conduct integrity assessment of all underground petroleum products storage tanks including pipelines of retail outlets across the country by next year.

The Authority had also issued directives for depot operators to ensure that their operations and measuring systems were compliant with the industry requirements.

It further asked them to automate their process, which would be integrated into the NPA’s Enterprise Relational Database Management System (ERDMS).

Those measures formed part of efforts to improve transportation and safety of petroleum products in the country.

Mr Hassan Tampuli, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NPA, made the announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting of petroleum downstream sector in Accra.

He said the Authority was also reviewing the Oil Loss Control Manual and copies had been made available for all stakeholders for use and expected that the manual would improve and ensure accurate reporting receipts and delivery of petroleum products.

The stakeholders meeting afforded the opportunity to petroleum downstream players to dialogue, share and exchange ideas on ensuring effective and efficient management of the sector to promote economic growth.

It also created a platform for the NPA and other stakeholders to disseminate industry information, trends and opportunities to ensure the continuous growth of the downstream sector in accordance with international best practices.

The event attracted captains of the industry and representatives of key partners including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited, Chamber of Oil Distributors Board, Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company and Tema Oil Refinery.

The CEO of the NPA said it had outlined plans to commence the installation of automatic tank gauging systems at all retail outlets next year and be integrated into the Authority’s Enterprise Relational Database Management System.

It also intended to commence the installation of electronic ceiling and tracking devices on bulk road vehicles (BRVs) without tracking devices and the BRVs would be integrated into the ERDMS.

These measures, Mr Tampuli said would provide an effective control and monitoring of petroleum products distribution activities in the downstream sector.

The Authority had also put up a proposal for the development of new bulk distribution companies (BDCs) licensing requirements into two categories so that financially distressed BDCs remained in business and honour various financial obligations to the state.