We explained the LPG Refilling Underground Storage Tanks Plant construction requirements, DPR Site Suitability assessment, Approval To Construct, Licensing and more.
Read: LPG Refilling Aboveground Storage Tanks Plant Construction Approval & Licensing Procedures
Read: LPG Refilling Retail Outlets attached to Petrol Stations Plant
Note: Requirements for construction of LPG Refilling Plant Aboveground Storage Tanks is different from that of Underground Storage Tanks Plant, also different form LPG Add-On in Retail Outlets attached to Petrol Stations. Though they have similarities.
What is DPR LPG Underground Storage Tanks Plant Construction Approval?
The Directorate of Petroleum Resources LPG Plant (Underground Storage Tanks) Construction approval is a major requirement when setting up a LPG or cooking gas (Underground Storage Tanks) plant. You cannot operate a LPG plant or cooking gas plant anywhere in Nigeria without the approval of DPR and licensing.
But DPR approval for LPG/ cooking gas refill (Underground Storage Tanks) plant is in 3 phases. And all the 3 takes place in stages, from the beginning of your gas Plant setup and before the commencement of operation of the gas plant. Even after the gas Plant setup, DPR will continue their regulatory oversight for as long as the business exists.
Here are the 3 DPR approvals you will need at when setting up a cooking gas refill plant:
- Site Suitability Approval
- Approval to Construct
- License to Operate
These 3 DPR Approvals for LPG Refilling (Underground Storage Tanks) Plant will be issued at different stages of the setup. The first one being the site suitability approval, followed by the approval to construct and license to operate.
LPG Plant Site Suitability Approval Procedures
This is the first step when starting a LPG plant/ cooking gas refill plant. It’s also the first approval required before any thing else is done about starting your cooking gas refill plant. Even though you can actually conduct the physical Suitability test for your location, you will still need DPR to give their approval.
It is advisable that you conduct an independent assessment of your location before applying for DPR site approval.
This should have been done even before you purchase the land. But since most of you already have the land even before you think of starting a cooking gas refill plant, just get a cooking gas consultant to do complete site assessment. This independent assessment will ensure both Suitability and viability assessment is done together.
It’s not the job of DPR to verify the viability of your location for LPG plant/ cooking gas refill (Underground Storage Tanks) plant. Their job is to approve a suitable site. To ensure that the safety of the people is adhered to and that your LPG plant won’t constitute any environment problem as well.
Read: How to Obtain NOGIC JQS & NCEC Certificate (Nigerian Local Content)
DPR Site Suitability Assessment list
Qualified DPR staff will physically visit the proposed location for LPG Plant or Cooking Gas Refill Plant foe site Suitability assessment.
There are specific things DPR looks for to give their site Suitability Approval. These conditions must be met before DPR approval for site Suitability be issued to you.
– Land size test will confirm if the land meets the minimum size required for gas plant by DPR
– Closeness to a residential assessment is to ensure it’s at least 15 meters away from any residential building. Although this particular condition maybe conflicting in most cases.
– Closeness to a public place like church, school, market, mosque and any other public place that large number of people gather.
– Closeness to high tension or major power installation or public infrastructure like petroleum pipeline. This one too will cause DPR Approval denial.
– Soil contamination test is another requirement. DPR will conduct soil test to ensure underground water will not be contaminated in any way by waste products from your gas refill plant.
Approval To Construct LPG Plant/ Cooking Gas (Underground Storage Tanks) Plant after site Suitability
The next DPR approval after site Suitability assessment is approval to construct. Once the site is suitable and approved by DPR, you can now apply for approval to start constructing your gas refill plant.
The site approval confirms the Suitability of your location for a gas refill plant. And once this is given by DPR, you can apply for the approval to Construct the gas plant.
DPR Approval to Construct is not just an approval allowing you to start construction of the gas plant. It also approves the design and pipe architecture for the gas plant. It’s more of a design Approval than just go and start constructing.
Note: The validity of the Approval To Construct LPG Plant/ Cooking Gas Plant shall be two (2) years.
- No tank or tanks shall be buried without DPR approval and the burial must be witnessed by DPR
- All tanks to be buried should meet all the specifications of the manufacturer, ASTM, and other internationally approved codes
- The excavation of the pit for the LPG storage tank shall permit allowance of not less than 70 centimeters below ground level when the tank has been set in its final position.
- The tank shall be set in a chamber of waterproof concrete of not less than 23 centimeters thick and the top a water tight detachable or removable concrete slab with a manhole at the center.
- The manhole of every tank installation shall be raised above the level of the surrounding ground to prevent the ingress of surface water into it.
- All pipings below ground level, shall be protected against damage and corrosion to the satisfaction of the Department of Petroleum Resources.
- All individual tanks shall be provided with efficient electrical earth connections independent of pipe connections, having a current not exceeding 10 Ohms when measured by an earth resistance tester “Megger” or similar type.
- All fixed pipes shall be of metal or fiberglass coated and shall be in a position where they may not be liable to damage.
- Minimum separation distances for underground or mounded tanks of 10 Tons capacity or less shall be 3 meters and 7.5 meters for tanks above 10 tons capacity.
- Distances for all underground and mounded storage tanks shall be measured from the pressure relief valve and the filling connection.
Licensing LPG Plant/ Cooking Gas (Underground Storage Tanks) Plant
After an applicant have completed and met all the requirements listed above, DPR officers will conduct prelicensing inspection of the plant and auxiliary equipment and if all are satisfactorily met, LPG Plant/ Cooking Gas (Underground Storage Tanks) operation license will be issued.
Read: Requirements for LPG Plant License