Ministry of Petroleum Resources

TROLEUM REFINERY, PETROCHEMICALS AND

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 GUIDELINES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
PETROLEUM REFINERY, PETROCHEMICALS AND
GAS PROCESSING PLANTS IN NIGERIA

SECTION 1

1.1 SCOPE

These guidelines are issued pursuant to Regulation (2) and (3) of the
Petroleum Refining Regulations, 1974 and shall apply to the construction of
Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemical Plants, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and
Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plants, Fertilizer Plants (in which gas is the
feedstock) and Gas Treating Facilities. Applications for approval to establish
a refinery or any other process plant shall be made in the manner described
in (1.2) below and in the form schedule in Appendix 1.

1.2 APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION,

COMMISSIONING AND OPERATION OF A PROCESS PLANT

The approval process described hereunder is designed to ensure that the

applicant for approval and permit to establish a Petroleum Refinery (or a
process plant), understands the industry, the technical and economic
implications of the project, the sociological and environmental impact of the
plant, and maintenance provisions required to protect the health of the
operating staff and safety of plant. It is designed to prevent avoidable
waste of resources by ensuring at each stage that the applicant
understands the statutory requirements of each phase of the project.
Consequently, the approval shall be given in the following sequential
stages, culminating in the grant of a License to operate the plant

1.2.1 CONCEPTUAL STUDY AND BASIC DESIGN

This approval stage is to confirm general feasibility of the proposed project,

market plan, product specifications, site selection, proposed crude oil (or
feedstock) supply plan and product evacuation plan, preliminary safety and
environmental impact statement, and organizational plans. The following
submissions shall be made to the Honorable Minister to facilitate approval:

a) Conceptual Study:

i) Preliminary marketing plan, indicating whether domestic,

export, or if both markets are being targeted.
ii) Preliminary product slate, indicating volumes or tonnage and
product specifications.
iii) Preliminary crude oil or feedstock slate, and short assays
(specifications and analysis), of the proposed crude and/or
feedstock.
iv) Proposed site(s).
v) Block flow scheme showing process configurations and
capacities, including utilities, offsite and wastewater treatment
facilities.
vi) List of proposed process technologies, and relevant licensors.
vii) Name and job references related to refining of the Technical

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 Partners
viii) Proposed crude oil or feedstock supply and product evacuation
scheme.
ix) Proposed safety provisions and preliminary environmental
impact statements.
x) Infrastructural support strategy.
xi) Preliminary organization plan, including staff training plans.
xii) Financial plan.

b) Basic Design

i) Refinery design philosophy.

ii) Preliminary Process Flow diagram of the process units.
iii) Crude oil (feedstock) and product fiscalization systems and
proving procedures.
iv) Preliminary Plot Plan.
v) Proposed project-implementing schedule.
vi) Process Hazard Analysis Statement or Hazard Identification
(HAZID).

1.3 LICENCE TO ESTABLISH A PETROLEUM PROCESS PLANT

Having fulfilled the above requirements, the Honorable Minister of

Petroleum Resources or his designate may grant the applicant the license
to establish the petroleum process plant consequent upon which the
applicant may proceed with the detailed Engineering.
DPR engineers will participate fully from the conceptual to construction
stages in order to facilitate approval processes.
The validity of the license to establish the Refinery / Plant shall be for a
period of two years after which it shall lapse.

1.4 LICENCE TO CONSTRUCT A PETROLEUM PROCESS PLANT

The applicant shall submit the detailed engineering of the plant / refinery to
the Department of Petroleum Resources as specified in section II of these
guidelines.
Having satisfied the requirements, the Honorable Minister may grant the
applicant the construction license. This license will attract the prescribed
fee, which is non-refundable. Other conditions to be fulfilled by the
applicant include: -

a) Presentation of the project design to DPR.

b) Participation of DPR engineers in project monitoring including project
review meetings, HAZOP, FAT etc.

The applicant can subsequently proceed with the Procurement and

Construction (EPC) phase of the project.

The validity of the license to construct the refinery / plant shall be for a
period of eighteen months after which it shall lapse.

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1.5 OPERATING LICENCE

Upon mechanical completion of the refinery or plant, license fee as

prescribed in the Petroleum Refining Regulations 1974, Part V,
Supplemental paragraph 46, or as amended shall apply.

SECTION II

2.0 CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE ENGINEERING DESIGN,

PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A REFINERY,
PETROCHEMICAL AND GAS PROCESSING PLANT.

2.1 ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PROCUREMENT

The detailed engineering and equipment specifications must conform to

accepted or acceptable national/international standards listed in Appendix II
or their equivalents, so as to guarantee the safety and operability of the
plant and equipment. The following documents should be submitted to the
Honorable Minister to ensure compliance:

i) Final process configuration including detailed Piping and

Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) of the process units, utilities and
offsite.
ii) Final process technology selection and licensors
iii) Detailed material balances
iv) Detailed List of equipment
v) Equipment test procedures
vi) Approved building plans
vii) Quality control program of the designers
viii) Final project implementation schedule
ix) Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment
x) Detailed crude oil (feedstock) supply and product meter proving
procedure and evacuation schemes
xi) Electrical single line diagrams, electric power generation, earthen
philosophy,
xii) Distribution, load flow analysis and short circuit study.

xiii) Control and instrumentations systems (process system and alarms,

fire & gas system, esd system) design and implementation.

xiv) Detailed Product Storage and Distribution Plan (Facilities Design,

Layout and Metering)
xv) Detailed Waste (Solid, Liquid and Gaseous) Disposal Program of the
Refinery
xvi) Project Implementation Schedule and
xvii) Detailed HAZOP report.
xviii) Community Development Programs

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 xix) Detailed Local Content input of the project.

2.2 CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

2.2.1 CONSTRUCTION

This comprises of fabrication, installation and erection stages.

2.2.2.1.1.1.1Fabrication

a) All fabrication and welding procedures shall generally follow the

relevant specifications in the under-listed documents:
i) American Welding Society – Structural Welding Code
A.W.S.D.1.1 88 and the subsequent revisions.
ii) API Standards 1104 – 17th and subsequent editions for welding
of pipelines and related facilities.

b) The refiner or plant operator shall provide the Honorable Minister

with the following information before the commencement of
fabrication:
i) The name of the contractor and the fabrication program.
ii) The yard in which all pressure vessels, columns and ancillary
equipment would be fabricated.
iii) The arrangements made for the statutory monitoring of the
various stages of the fabrication by officials of the Department
of Petroleum Resources.
iv) The name and job references of the company appointed as
quality control inspectors for the job and Curriculum Vitae (CV)
of its principal technical staff.

c) At the completion of fabrication, the quality control inspecting

company shall compile a report confirming that all materials used
were strictly in accordance with approved specifications as verified
through steel mill certificates with the approved Standards and
Codes of Practice. The quality control inspection shall be by Non-
Destructive Examination (NDE). Consequently, inspection and
certification of all welded parts of vessels, columns and piping shall
be by any of the following techniques as applicable viz.:
i) Liquid Penetrant Technique
ii) Magnetic Particle Technique
iii) Radiographic Technique
iv) Ultrasonic Technique
A comprehensive report of the inspection so carried out shall be
forwarded to the Ministry through the refiner or plant operator.

2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY CONSIDERATION

2.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

These shall include all available meteorological parameters, such as the

prevailing wind direction, maximum wind velocity, maximum and minimum
atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, local flood or tide
conditions.

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 a) All environmental parameters shall be obtained from independent
site survey with all the data gathered being properly documented.
b) Soil test and geo-technical investigations shall be carried out for
foundation or load-carrying characteristics of the site.
c) Contour maps (site plan), showing ground elevations shall be
prepared
d) Effect of borehole water withdrawal on ground water table shall be
investigated and result submitted.

2.3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

a) There shall be a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

study of the area as provided for in the National Environmental
Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industries, before
commencement of construction.
b) The general layout of the location and provisions for all waste
disposal in the refinery/ plant shall comply with the applicable
specifications in the National Environmental Guidelines and
Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria, issued by the
Department of Petroleum Resources
c) The refinery / plant shall be equipped with adequate provisions for
containing and handling spills and accidental discharge of potential
contaminants.
d) All the systems and components of the refinery shall be designed to
withstand any anticipated extremes of environmental phenomena on
location.
e) The provision of effluent and recipient water quality monitoring shall
be in accordance with the Environmental Guidelines and Standards
issued by the Department of Petroleum Resources for the Petroleum
Industry.

2.3.3 SAFETY FACTORS

a) All offices, warehouses and process buildings shall be constructed

with utmost consideration for the safety of the workers and
equipment. Laboratory building construction shall take into
consideration the safety of personnel and provision of adequate
ventilation as well as that for proper disposal of waste.
b) Material Safety Sheet (MSS) shall be prepared in respect of all
potentially hazardous chemicals and materials.
c) Emergency alarm system and evacuation programs shall conform to
Standards Industry Practice to the satisfaction of the Honorable
Minister.
d) The noise level at any point in the refinery emanating from engines
and fluid velocities in the piping shall not exceed 90dBA. Where this
level is to be exceeded, wearing of ear protection device shall
become mandatory.
e) The flare stack shall be located at a distance of at least 60m (200ft)
from the unit or storage tanks and the flare shall conform to the
approved limit of atmospheric emission.
f) The automatic control system for emergency shutdown of all
strategic or critical equipment in the refinery / plant such as columns,
fired heaters, separators, surge vessels, pipeline and manifolds
compressors and pump discharge headers shall be based on fail-safe

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 logic designs.
g) Fire sensors and gas detection and alarm system shall be installed at
strategic points of the refinery and its offsite facilities. In addition,
adequate fire mitigation systems shall be provided at all identified
fire risk areas of the refinery.

2.3.4 HAZARD AND OPERABILITY REVIEW (HAZOP)

Petroleum Plants designs shall be subjected to SAFE Chart and HAZOP

reviews at the following stages of the design and development.

1) At the completion of the plot plans and engineering models.

2) At the completion of the detailed engineering design and

specifications. Accredited representatives of the Ministry shall be
present at these SAFE Chart and HAZOP reviews. It shall be
mandatory for each of these stages of engineering design
successfully scale through the appropriate SAFE Chart and HAZOP
reviews. For this purpose, a minimum of four (4) weeks notice shall
be given to the Ministry for arrangements to be made for the
participation of its representatives at those review meetings with all
relevant P&ID’s made available for appropriate review ahead of time.

SECTION III

3.0 APPROVAL TO COMMISSION

3.1 COMMISSIONING

Following completion of mechanical erection, the Honorable Minister will

direct the Department of Petroleum Resources together with downstream
experts of NNPC to carry out physical inspection of the plant to ascertain
conformance with approved design.
Upon receipt of a satisfactory inspection report, the Honorable Minister will
grant the approval to commission and operate the plant. The following shall
be the pre-requisites to qualify:
1) A qualified refinery / plant manager is appointed and his appointment
is notified in writing to the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
2) Complete equipment reports on all critical equipment such as
pressure vessels, fired heaters, boilers, rotating equipment and
storage tanks.
3) Completion of all fiscalization equipment and systems to approved

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 standards.
4) Availability of adequate spare parts, chemicals, catalysts, lubes,
greases and other operating consumable materials in the warehouse
appropriately codified and organized.
5) Availability of commissioning spare parts, apart from operating spare
parts, all properly coded and arranged in the warehouse.
6) Approved operating manuals, maintenance manuals, mechanical
catalogues, would have all been supplied, subject to appropriate
modifications after commissioning.
7) Approved operating and maintenance organization and availability of
trained manpower in sufficient strength.
8) Completion of all fiscalization equipment and system to approved
standards.
9) Functional and effective fire prevention and fighting organization
already in existence.
10) Functional and effective Safety enforcement Organization and
Policies already in existence.
11) All approved engineering drawings in agreed numbers of copies have
been supplied by the contractor, subject to modifications to reflect
changes during construction.
12) The quality control laboratory is completed and functional.
13) A well-staffed and equipped First Aid Clinic is in place.
14) All other provisions, which are reasonably required to facilitate
effective commissioning of the plant, have been made.
15) An effective and international applicable materials codification and
management system is in place.
16) Confirmation that all-environmental protection standards and during
design have been met.
17) Payment of prescribed application and license fees.

3.2 PLANT OPERATION

a) The plant shall be operated in compliance with the provisions of the

Petroleum Refining Regulations, 1974 and its subsequent revisions.
b) The refiner shall prepare and submit an annual program of activity in
the form of a presentation to the Director of Petroleum Resources at
the beginning of each calendar year.

3.3 MAINTENANCE

This comprises routine preventive scheduled and turn-around maintenance.

a) Preventive maintenance schedules on critical equipment shall be
prepared and submitted to the Department of Petroleum Resources
for monitoring purposes only.
b) The plant facilities shall be periodically examined for corrosion
detection and corrosion protection systems and devices installed
shall be regularly checked to ensure effective performance. All these
anti-corrosion performance monitoring shall be carried out in
accordance with current NACE (National Association of Corrosion
Engineers) Standards and procedures.
c) All turn-around maintenance (TAM) scheduled shall be duly
submitted to the Director of Petroleum Resources at least three
months prior to its commencement and thereafter, monthly progress
report of the maintenance shall be rendered until completion for

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 monitoring purposes only.

3.4 PLANT MODIFICATION

Any proposed modification or enlargement of existing plant and facilities

shall be communicated to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and must be
approved in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 3 of the
Petroleum Refining Regulations, 1974 before being carried out.

3.5 PLANT RELOCATION

In the case of a request to relocate an existing plant to Nigeria, the

applicant shall provide the following information to the Honorable Minister.

a) Reason for the plant relocation.

b) Operational history of the plant including years of operation.
c) Types of crude oil or feedstock the relocated process plant / units will
process.
d) Proposed Plant / unit Process Flow Diagram.
e) Layout for the relocated refinery / plant
f) List of process units / packed units to be re-designed and new
refinery / plant
configuration.
g) List of equipment to be re-engineered.
h) Land requirement for relocation
i) Feedstock supply and products evacuation scheme.
j) Electrical single line diagrams.
k) Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) of the process units and
utilities
l) Safety, Process and maintenance manuals.
m) HAZOP review report of the re-designed and re-engineered refinery /
plant
n) Environmental Impact Assessment of the new location.
o) The design parameter and the As-built drawings of the entire plant,
offsite and
utilities.
p) Current technical status of the plant certified from a comprehensive
technical audit carried out by an internationally reputable inspection
agency.
q) A SAFE Chart analysis of the plant.
r) An Environmental Impact Report of the plant including effluents and
particulate
qualities.

On application to relocate a Petroleum Process Plant, the statutory non-

refundable application fee for License to Establish a Refinery / Plant shall
apply.

The License to Construct and the License to Operate a Refinery / Petroleum

Plant shall apply at the appropriate phase of development of the project.

Upon receipt and completion of the review of the above, the Honorable Minister
shall appoint experts to carry out a physical inspection of the plant and
accessories on location in order to verify the integrity of the plant elements. If

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satisfied, the Minister may grant an approval for the plant to be relocated in
Nigeria, at the total risk of the promoters.

APENDIX I

SCHEDULE

FORM (Regulation 1)

Petroleum Refining Regulations 1974

APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE TO CONSTRUCT/OPERATE

A PETROLEUM PROCESS PLANT IN NIGERIA

1. Name of applicant:………………………………………………………………….…….

2. Registered address in Nigeria:………………………………...……….…………………

3. Nationality of applicant:……….…………………………………………………………
……..……………………………………………………………………………………..

4. a) Names, address and nationality of directors (where applicable) ……………...…

..
……………………………………………………………………………………
………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

c) Names, addresses and nationality of every individual or company participating

in The project and the extent of each individual’s or company’s participation:
…………………..……….
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………...
……………………………………………………………………………………
……….
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
………………

5. Capital available to applicant for the construction of the refinery/plant and details of the
Method of financing proposed:…….…………………………………………….………
………………………………..……………………………………………………….….

6. Proposed location of the refinery / plant :……………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………….…

7. Type of refinery / plant proposed:……………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

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 ……………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Refining / Plant capacity range:…………………………..…… ……………….………

…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..

9. Proposed source(s) of crude oil (Feedstock) supply:…… .….…..………………….……

………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………

10. a) Products to be produced:……..….………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

b) Detailed specifications of products (to be attached to this application):…………

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

11. Proposed market for products produced: ………………………………………………

……...…………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………

Estimate, by product grade, or proposed product exports, if any..……………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

12. State if participants will accept participation of private Nigerian investors:.……….

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

13. Any additional information in support of application (provide the information on a

separate sheet wherever necessary):…………………..…………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

I declare that the foregoing particulars are true and correct.

………………………………………… Date:……………………

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Signature of applicant or his Attorney.

N.B I) The non-refundable application fee of $50,000.00 (Fifty thousand US Dollars) should be
forwarded with this application for License to Establish a Petroleum Plant while the fee for
License to Operate is $100,000:00 (One Hundred Thousand Dollars)
ii) Particulars of documents attached to the application should be listed hereunder.
APPENDIX II

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

The design parameters shall generally follow the specifications outlined in the
current editions of:
- The petroleum Refining Regulations, 1974
- Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) specifications of petroleum
products (for domestic market).
- Refining Safety Code Part 3 of the Institute of Petroleum Model Code of Safe
Practice.
- API Standard 2510 Design and Construction of LP Gas Installation at Marine
and Pipeline Terminals, Natural Gas Processing Plants, Refineries,
Petrochemical Plants and Tank Farm.
- API Recommended Practices 520 and 521 for pressure relieving and
depressurizing systems.
- National Fire Protection Association Standards No. 59A
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Code of Safety Practice.
- Electrical Safety Code: Part 1 of the Institute of Petroleum Model Code of
Safe Practice
- American National Standard Institute (ANSI) B31-3-Pressure Piping of
Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refining Piping.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers – ASME – Boiler Pressure Vessel
Code, (Section 1).
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Mechanical Standards
Class “B” Heat Exchangers Section 7.
- API 550 Manuals of Refinery Instruments and Control Systems
- ASME B31.8 for Gas Transmission and Distribution Systems

THE DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES

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