What Are the Benefits of Oil Storage Tanks?

From crude oil refineries and petrochemical plants to commercial sites that rely on finished products like diesel and gasoline, storage tanks offer a myriad of benefits to different users. Below, we take a closer look at some of the key benefits of oil storage tanks.

Preventing product loss

Not all oil storage tanks are created equal. Choosing the right tank can have a big impact on profitability when storing products that are prone to evaporating. For example, floating roof tanks feature a clever design that sees the roof rise and fall, according to how much oil is being stored. This allows sites to reduce empty space within the tanks and prevent vapour from building up.

Improving onsite safety

Vapour doesn’t just reduce the total volume of oil being stored. Emissions are also a major safety issue as they increase the risk of combustion.

Meeting environmental regulations

Sites handling and storing oil must comply with strict environmental regulations. Investing in high-quality tanks is one of the best ways to minimise the risk of spills and leaks. Double-walled bunded tanks are one of the best ways to mitigate this risk. The ‘tank within a tank’ design features a built-in reservoir to catch spills and prevent leaks. As well as preventing oil from seeping into the natural environment, bunded tanks make it easy to recover assets.

Preserving the integrity of raw materials and finished products

From gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to mechanical greases and lubricants, oil is used to manufacture a multitude of high-value products. Purpose-built tanks offer total peace of mind when storing crude oil and other products created during the refining and manufacturing process.

Oil on demand

For sites that rely on finished products to power everyday operations, oil storage tanks are a savvy investment. For example, the Oil Fuel Depot at Gosport provides bulk fuel to the Royal Navy. Oil is stored in tanks and distributed on demand. This allows the British naval warfare force to keep its helicopters and planes in the air, as well as fuel its state-of-the-art Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. The same concept applies to remote sites like industrial plants and commercial farms, where oil is essential but not easy to come by. A constant supply of fuel streamlines workflows reduces operational downtime.

The British Royal Navy is one of many entities embracing the benefits of oil storage tanks. Find out more about the latest infrastructure upgrades at the high-profile Gosport site in ‘Storage Tanks for Oil & Chemicals - Everything You Need to Know’.