Track: Engineering Management

Abstract

This paper presents a new inspection method in Heavy Oil Storage Tanks’. Aboveground oil storage tanks are strategic assets for any oil & gas operator. Oil leaks may occur due to defects in tanks bottom, which pose a significant consequence on the company's environmental, financial & reputation aspects. Proactive inspection techniques are employed to prevent such leaks to meet safe operational & regulatory requirements. Traditional inspection technique is a long process that needs shutting down the plant, emptying the tank, cleaning, decontamination &sandblasting, which is cost-time consuming & interrupts production operations. Recently, advanced inspection technique called  Acoustic Emission Testing AET has been employed by many companies as alternative to the old traditional technique. AET can apply inspection & evaluation of tank internal condition from the external side, without the need of tank emptying & shutting down the plant. The theory of AET is based on sound sensors that can detect sound signals generated by tiny leaks or defects in tank while the tank is filled & in service. The sensors are attached externally to the tank external body & data can be acquired then filtered, analyzed & evaluated to give valuable information about the tank internal condition, corrosion activity, the need for repair or replacement & the estimated useful life of the tank.

In this case study, AET was applied on a heavy oil storage tank in Issaran field-Egypt/ Eastern desert. The results yield a significant reduction in cost, time & overall risk.