Design and Safety of Petroleum Products Storage Depot in Compliance with Local and International Standards

Petroleum product storage depots are critical downstream facilities that pose significant operational and safety challenges due to flammability, environmental risk, and high inventory volumes. This study presents a process engineering design and safety analysis of a petroleum products storage depot comprising Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), each stored in a 2,500 m³ atmospheric tank. The work covers tank sizing, pump selection, pipeline hydraulic calculations, hazard area classification, and a systematic Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study. Design calculations are carried out using established engineering correlations, local and international standards such as API 650, API RP 500, NFPA 30, ASME B31.3, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) guidelines and Mineral Oil Safety Regulations (MOSR). Results show that appropriate pump sizing, conservative pipe diameters, and adequate safety systems significantly reduce operational risk. Recommendations are made for safer depot operation, instrumentation improvements, and regulatory compliance. Minimum Industry Safety Training for Downstream Operators (MISTDO) is made mandatory by NMDPRA for all operators and managers in the Nigerian Midstream/Downstream Petroleum Sector.