Buffer Storage Tank

My company is building an API 620 tank of 500,000bbl capacity. My client has given us a mandate to get to course 6 which is the last shell plating before roofing work and telling us that because of their short down schedule plan, they will use the tank to store produce water to enable them to carry out maintenance after which wewill return back to complete our work on the tank. My response to this request is capture in my letter to my company project manager as shown below:

To, 9/10/2014

The Project Manager,

Subject: Introduction of produce water into the Buffer Storage Tank under construction

Sir,

On the basis of experience, the introduction of produce water into the tank at its present construction stage will raise significant doubt as to the capabilities of the tank meeting all specified claimed controls in the documented procedures to prevent corrosion taking place in the tank materials.

Based on capabilities studies, it had been observed that, despite having international standards in place and industry awareness of the metallurgical and welding engineering requirements to ensure safe operation of materials in sour service, there are regular incidences of in-service failure of materials and equipment. Such events usually have adverse effects on the reputation of manufacturers, fabricators and operators.

This approach of SEPLAT to introduce produce water into the uncompleted tank can be view as manufacturing process defificiencies or direct violation in respect of statutory and regulating requirements (for example, DPR) applying to the product-buffer storage tank.

For OBAX to accept the above subject matter, we should get all requests for product or manufacturing process design changes in writing from SEPLAT. In this case, I would suggest that second coat application should be applied to internal tank wall plating to provide the mechanical resistance to corrosion attacks.

And in order to demonstrate conformity to standard API 620, we should ensure that all inspection and tests specified are fulfilled and noting that only validated design and development outputs (in this case "BUFFER STORAGE TANK) can be submitted for customer (SEPLAT) use. All these tests and other examination have not been done.

We should not forget that outsourcing the construction and installation of the tank does not absolve OBAX of the responsibility to providing a product that meet regulating, statutory and specific or implied customer requirements. See section 6.2.1, API 620 below:

6.2.1 All work of fabricating API 620 tanks shall be done in accordance with this standard and with the permissible alternatives specified in the Purchaser's inquiry or order. The workmanship and finish shall be first class in every respect and subject to the closest inspection by the Manufacturer's inspector, whether or not the Purchaser waives any part of the inspection.

Thanks,

Peter Iyere

Quality Engineer,

Obax .

please i need a professional advice from all.

Thanks.