InstituteWaste/HazWasteOil Spill PreventionOil Spill PreventionEnvironmentalEnglishAnalysisFocus AreaCompliance and Exceptions (Level 2)USA
Corrosion protection
['Oil Spill Prevention']
- Any containers that are vulnerable to corrosion should be protected with the proper coatings or cathodic protection.
Metallic containers are vulnerable to corrosion and this can lead to leaks and spills. Water, including rainwater, can really do a lot of damage, especially where containers and piping go in and out of the ground surface. Therefore, if a facility has any of the containers and piping listed below, it must protect them from corrosion with coatings or cathodic protection:
| Facility type | Corrosion protection required for | Related regulation | Protection required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onshore facilities (excluding production facilities) with petroleum oil or non-petroleum oil except animal fats and vegetable oil | Completely buried metallic bulk storage tank installed on or after January 10, 1974 | 112.8(c)(4) | Protect from corrosion by coatings or cathodic protection compatible with local soil conditions. |
| Buried section of partially buried or bunkered metallic bulk storage tanks | 112.8(c)(5) | Protect from corrosion by coatings or cathodic protection compatible with local soil conditions. | |
| Buried piping that is installed or replaced on or after August 16, 2002 | 112.8(d)(1) | Protect from corrosion with wrapping and coating. Also, cathodically protect such buried piping installations or otherwise satisfy the corrosion protection standards for piping in 40 CFR 280 or a state program approved under 40 CFR 281. If a section of buried line is exposed for any reason, carefully inspect it for deterioration, and if corrosion damage is found, undertake additional examination and corrective action as indicated by the magnitude of the damage. | |
| Pipe supports | 112.8(d)(3) | Properly design to minimize abrasion and corrosion and allow for expansion and contraction. | |
| Offshore oil drilling, production, or workover facilities | Containers | 112.11(g) | Equip with suitable corrosion protection. |
| Piping appurtenant to the facility | 112.11(n) | Protect from corrosion, such as with protective coatings or cathodic protection. | |
| Onshore facility with animal fats and vegetable oil | Completely buried metallic bulk storage tank installed on or after January 10, 1974 | 112.12(c)(4) | Protect from corrosion by coatings or cathodic protection compatible with local soil conditions. |
| Buried section of partially buried or bunkered metallic bulk storage tanks | 112.12(c)(5) | Protect from corrosion protect by coatings or cathodic protection compatible with local soil conditions. | |
| Buried piping that is installed or replaced on or after August 16, 2002 | 112.12(d)(1) | Provide a protective wrapping and coating. Also, cathodically protect such buried piping installations or otherwise satisfy the corrosion protection standards for piping in Part 280 or a state program approved under Part 281. If a section of buried line is exposed for any reason, carefully inspect it for deterioration. If corrosion damage is found, undertake additional examination and corrective action as indicated by the magnitude of the damage. | |
| Pipe supports | 112.12(d)(3) | Properly design to minimize abrasion and corrosion and allow for expansion and contraction. |
Cathodic protection of buried tanks
Sections 280.20 and 280.21 identify methods for cathodically protecting buried tanks. These methods may be considered when developing corrosion and cathodic protection protocols for completely buried metallic storage tanks subject to the spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) rule. The following are some examples of codes and standards for protecting metallic tanks from corrosion that may also be considered:
- Steel Tank Institute (STI) “Specification for STI-P3 System of External Corrosion Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks.”
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 1746, “Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Storage Tanks.”
- Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) CAN4-S603-M85, “Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,” CAN4-G03.1-M85, “Standard for Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,” and CAN4-S631-M84, “Isolating Bushings for Steel Underground Tanks Protected with Coatings and Galvanic Systems.”
- National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Standard RP-02-85, “Control of External Corrosion on Metallic Buried, Partially Buried, or Submerged Liquid Storage Systems,” and Underwriters Laboratories Standard 58, “Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.