A

REPORT

ON MY INTERNSHIP AT NPSC NNPC IBADAN

BY

AKOMOLAFE DAVID AYODEJI

CHE/2016/022

SUBMITTED TO:

Dr SANDA

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY

ILE-IFE

ON

20TH MARCH, 2020

IN PARTIAL FUFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR CHEMICAL

ENGINEERING STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(CHE300)
 Department of chemical engineering,

Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife, Osun State.

March 8th 2020.

The SIWES coordinator,

Dr Sanda,

Department of Chemical Engineering,

Faculty of Technology,

Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Dear Sir,

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

I hereby write to inform you that I have fully participated in the Student Industrial Work

Experience Scheme, SIWES (CHE300) for every part three chemical engineering students. I

commenced the program on 6th January 2020 and completed the course on 23 rd February 2020.

The report contains detailed experimental work and result.

Yours Faithfully,

Akomolafe David.

ii
 ABSTRACT

This report covers a review of work undertaken during the students industrial work experience

(SIWES) at the NIGERIAN PIPELINE STORAGE COMPANY Ltd (NPSC) Ibadan, Oyo State.

The nature of work is that of products such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive

Gasoline Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) reception, loading and pumping. It is on

this basis of the regulation of Industrial Attachment Training and a prerequisite for the award of

Bachelor of engineering (B.SC.) in Chemical Engineering in Obafemi Awolowo University. This

work is based on activities of practical carried out in the operations department.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.......................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES..........................................................................................................................vi
LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................1
1.0 INTRODUCTION (SIWES).............................................................................................1
1.1 IMPORTANCE OF SIWES..........................................................................................2
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF SIWES...............................................................................................2
CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................3
2.0 COMPANY PROFILE.....................................................................................................3
2.1 NIGERIAN PIPELINES AND STORAGE COMPANY (NPSC)...............................3
2.2 NPSC NNPC ,IBADAN DEPOT..................................................................................4
2.3 GENERAL RULES, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES AT THE DEPOT.......7
SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND PRECAUTIONS.....................................................................7
CHAPTER THREE.......................................................................................................................10
3.0 DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONS..............................................................................10
3.1 TANK FARM..............................................................................................................10
3.2 LOADING GANTRY.................................................................................................15
3.3 PRODUCT RECEIVING AREA (PRA)....................................................................17
3.4 THE CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM.........................................................................20
3.5 PROCESS CONTROLS..............................................................................................21
3.6 FACILITIES THAT AID OIL MOVEMENT...........................................................21
3.7 SYSTEM SCHEDULING...........................................................................................25
3.8 RADIO ROOM /TELECOMMUNICATION.............................................................25
3.10 QUALITY CONTROL LABORATORY IBADAN..............................................27
3.11 PUMPING OPERATION........................................................................................31
3.12 TERMINOLOGIES IN OPERATIONS.....................................................................31
CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................34

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 4.0 METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................34
4.1 HOURLY READING FOR PUMPING......................................................................34
4.2 HOW TO COMPUTE FOR HOURLY READING....................................................35
4.3 HOW TO MEASURE TANK LEVEL.......................................................................38
CHAPTER FIVE...........................................................................................................................41
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATUION...........................................................41
5.1 CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................41
5.2 RECOMMENDATION...............................................................................................41
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................43

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 LIST OF TABLES

1. Tank 12 table

2. Tank 14 table

3. Tank 21 table

4. Tank 22 table

5. Tank 31 table

6. Tank 33 table

7. Tank 41 table

8. Tank 43 table

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Note: this were the tanks used during my stay at NPSC PPMC.

vii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Safety gloves, helmet, boot and googles........................................................................8

Figure 3.1 showing tanks in the Tank farm...................................................................................10

Figure 3.2 shows the fixed roof of an AGO tank..........................................................................13

Figure 3.3 shows the slop tanks.....................................................................................................14

Figure 3.4 shows a water tank.......................................................................................................14

Figure 3.5 shows the Loading Gantry............................................................................................15

Figure 3.6 shows the pumps for decantation. 2nd frame shows the drain system to the Oil/water

separator pit...................................................................................................................................16

Figure 3.7 shows the mainline pump A & B.................................................................................17

Figure 3.8 showing an Oil/water separator....................................................................................18

Figure 3.9 The Control Board........................................................................................................20

Figure 3.10 Petroleum Product Distillation Tester........................................................................29

Figure 4.1 shows a computerized tank level reading.....................................................................34

Figure 4.2 shows the table for tank 43...........................................................................................36

Figure 4.3 shows a complete stock................................................................................................37

Figure 4.4 Dip meter......................................................................................................................38

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION (SIWES)

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was established by the Industrial

Training Fund in (ITF) 1973 to enable students of tertiary institution have basic technical

knowledge of industrial works base on their course of study before the completion of their

program in their respective institutions. The scheme was designed to expose students to

industrial environment and enable them develop occupational competencies so that they can

readily contribute their quota to national economic and technological development after

graduation.

The Student Industrial Work-Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a planned and supervised training

intervention based on stated and specific learning and career objectives, and geared towards

developing the occupational competencies of the participants. It is a program required to be

undertaken by all students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria pursuing courses in “specialized

engineering, technical, business, applied sciences and applied arts” (ITF, 2004).

Industrial training fund in its policy statement No.1, published in 1973, inserted a clause dealing

with the issue of practical skills among locally trained professionals. Section 15 of the policy

statement states inter-alia, that “Great emphasis will be placed on assisting certain products of

post-secondary school system to adopt or orientate easily to their possible post graduate job

environment.

The scheme exposes students to industry based skills necessary for a smooth transition from

classroom to the world of work. It affords student of tertiary institutions the opportunity of being

1
familiarized exposed to the needed experience in handling machinery and equipment which are

not available in the education institute.

1.1 IMPORTANCE OF SIWES

SIWES have a lot of importance attached to it which includes;

a. It helps to improve the quality of skilled manpower of the students. The scheme provides

a forum for industries to evaluate prospective employers and gives feedback to

institutions.

b. The scheme gives students practical knowledge of course of study.

c. SIWES program exposes students to real life situation, thus supplementing the theoretical

lesson.

d. SIWES program establish a close collaboration between institutions and industries, a

factor which is essential for preparing people for the workforce.

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF SIWES

Specifically, the objectives of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) are;

a) To provide an avenue for students in institution of higher learning to acquire industrial

skills and experience in their course of study.

b) To provide students opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work ( situation thereby

bridging the gap between college work and actual practice)

c) To expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and

machinery, that may not be available in educational institutions.

d) To prepare students for the working situations they are to meet after graduation.

e) Enlist and strengthen employers’ involvement in the entire educational process of

preparing university graduates for employment in the industry.

2
 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 COMPANY PROFILE

2.1 NIGERIAN PIPELINES AND STORAGE COMPANY (NPSC)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) pipelines network is an integral

national asset designed several years back to distribute crude and white products nationwide. By

its original design, pipelines were designed to efficiently and seamlessly move refined products -

Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Automated Gas Oil (AGO)

from the nation’s refineries to all products depots. Pipelines network is considered a safe and

cheap means of products distribution.

These networks of pipelines are connected to twenty one (21) white product depots and tank

farm across the nation. Movement of crude and white products was done through these pipelines

over the years until the act of vandalism rendered the pipelines inefficient.

As a result of the high cost of maintenance and pipeline repair due to incessant vandalism on the

product lines, the Top management of NNPC with the support of the Federal Government

decided to unbundle the old Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) Ltd.

The unbundling of the defunct PPMC gave birth to the following three new companies;

 Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Ltd (NPSC)

 Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC)

 NNPC Shipping

Vision
To be the preferred pipelines and storage company by delivering efficient transportation of crude

oil and petroleum products.

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Mission
To provide unrivalled customer service through efficient and profitable transportation and

storage of crude oil and petroleum products.

Mandate
 Build and maintain pipeline and storage infrastructure across Nigeria

 Manage the transmission and storage of petroleum product

 Implement strategies to maximize pipelines and storage assets revenue

Invariably, the mandate of NPSC is to profitably operate NNPC’s downstream pipelines, depots

and jetty infrastructure through the efficient transportation and storage of crude oil and

petroleum products.

The maintenance and integrity of the petroleum pipelines is the sole responsibility of NPSC. The

pipelines are strategically located across the country and have about 5,120 kilometers length.

Products are moved through these pipelines by pump, using mainline and boaster pimps, while

some pump stations complement the work of the pipelines. The operation started in 1979 by the

defunct Pipelines and Products Marketing Sector (PPMS), which was renamed Pipelines and

Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

2.2 NPSC NNPC ,IBADAN DEPOT

NPSC NNPC Ibadan is a part of NNPC that helps in the distribution of petroleum products.

Petroleum products are got from the mother depot which is NNPC Mosimi Depot, and sent to the

NNPC Ilorin Depot.

Petroleum products are also distributed by refilling tankers of various filling stations around.

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NPSC NNPC Ibadan Depot was commissioned by military administrator of Oyo state of Nigeria,

Col. P.C. Tarfa on September 7, 1979.

The depot has over 15 tanks in its tank farm and can house over 60 million liters of PMS. The

depot is sited on about 2.5 hectares in Apata, Ibadan, Oyo state.

The depot consists of so many departments which include;

 Administrative department

 Department of Operations

 Sales department

 Safety department

 Department of Petroleum resources

 Security department

 Terminal

 NNPC Corporative

 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

PRODUCTS:
NNPC Ibadan controls the movement of the following products:

 Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) - Petrol

 Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK)

 Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) - Diesel

 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

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QUALITY POLICY AND OBJECTIVES:
NPSC NNPC is committed to always offer Petroleum Products and Services that shall fulfil our

customers' requirements and expectations using modern technology at prices that guarantee

customers' value, stakeholders' continued interest and support.

To meet the objective of this quality policy, we shall:

 Continually improve the efficiency of the process and utility plants to optimize their

capacity utilization.

 Deliver all products on specifications

 Train at least one third of the total staff population in the relevant skills annually.

 Strive to achieve nil accident annually.

 Treat all plant effluents to statutory safe levels before discharge into the environment.

 Be a responsible corporate citizen by contributing to the social and economic

development of our contiguous communities.

These Policy and Objectives shall be reviewed annually for continual improvement of the

Quality Management System in accordance with the requirements of NIS ISO (001: 2000.

Compliance with these Policy and Objectives, which shall be communicated to all staff, is

mandatory.[ CITATION NNP201 \l 1033 ]

2.3 GENERAL RULES, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES AT THE DEPOT

These instructions are designed to assist you in choosing a safe and environmentally sound

course of action in situations where no special rule applies and where personal judgment

6
becomes a factor. Heeding the suggestions, hints, and tips contained in these instructions will

help to prevent injury to you and your fellow workers or an adverse impact on the environment.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND PRECAUTIONS

A safety precaution is a measure that one takes to prevent any injury or harm to either oneself or

anyone or thing in your surroundings. To avoid casualties of any kind in the workshop or on the

site, all students must admit safety first during the course of the SWEP attachment.

These safety precautions include:

i. Wearing a fitted overall and helmet in the workshop is compulsory.

ii. Wearing of safety boot or any protective shoe.

iii. Do not put on any magnetic ornament.

iv. Before commencing any welding operations, make sure that an appropriate fire

extinguisher is readily accessible.

v. Proper concentration on the practical work.

vi. Not wearing neck tie near a revolving machine.

vii. Wearing a protective goggle when working with fine particles or face shield during

welding operations.

viii. Staying away from unprotected electricity wires.

ix. Reading and following instructions carefully before operating any machine.

Some safety equipment includes:

7
Figure 2.1 Safety gloves, helmet, boot and googles

 Correct Unsafe Conditions yourself: If you see tools, materials etc. on platforms or

walkways, remove them to eliminate tripping hazards. Correct any slipping hazards that

you can, put oil dry, sand or salt on slippery surfaces. Stop any leaks creating health,

safety or environmental hazards and report incidents to your supervisor.

 Mental Distractions Spell Danger: when the mind is in one place and body in another.

If you have a personal situation persistently bothering you, tell your supervisor so he/she

can consider this before assigning your job.

 Report All Hazards and Near-Misses: immediately to your supervisor. NPSC wants to

provide safe and environmentally sound working conditions. You can assist by reporting

any unsafe conditions you observe. Near-miss accidents and environmental incidents

often reveal such conditions; tell your supervisor about them. Your actions could prevent

injury or damage to plant equipment or the environment.

 Stop Unsafe Work: You have the right and obligation to stop any work that is unsafe.

8
 Avoid Breathing Petroleum Vapors: overexposure to petroleum vapors may produce a

form of intoxication or other serious health effects. If you find yourself exposed to vapors

or fumes get to fresh air at once. Report this immediately to your supervisor because

repeated exposure to certain chemicals may create long term health hazards. Do not

return unless the area has been tested or you’re wearing proper breathing protection.

 Passages and walkways must be kept free of welding rods, tools, draped hoses,

extension cords and other objects which create stumbling hazards. Cleaning up the area

where you are working is part of the job.

 Rings, Earrings & Long Hair have caused many serious injuries and amputations by

catching on or between moving equipment. Employees are cautioned not to wear jewelry

while working in the refinery. Secure long hair in a hat or tie back.

 When PPE is required: PHRC employees, contractors, visitors etc., will generally not be

required to wear PPE inside building or enclosed vehicles. NPSC employees, contractors,

visitors etc., will generally not be required to wear PPE inside the ‘green zone’ on the

attached map. This exception is intended to allow people to travel to/from points in the

‘green zone’ without PPE. A pre-task risk assessment shall be conducted for all jobs

inside the ‘green zone’ to determine the appropriate PPE for the job

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 DEPARTMENT OF OPERATIONS

This chapter covers my experience gained at NIGERIAN PIPELINE STORAGE COMPANY

(NPSC) Ibadan Depot. The report covers specifically operations of the Operations department,

which is a department under Pipelines and Products Marketing Company charged with the

responsibility of monitoring the safe movement of crude and petroleum products and ensuring

the quality of these products, with keen attention on depot operations and the source of the

products and its distribution to the final consumer. It is a comprehensive summary of all that I

learnt and was involved in during my SIWES program Ibadan Depot Oyo State.

The department of operations is divided into the following sections:

 Tank farm

 Loading gantry

 Product Receiving Area (PRA)

3.1 TANK FARM

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Figure 3.1 showing tanks in the Tank farm

The tank farm is situated at the center of the depot. It is where all the products are stored for

either sales, pumping or after reception. The tank farm is divided into 2 ideally for the products

leaving the depot and those entering the depot.

The tank farm consists of so many tanks depending on their products. The types of tanks are:

 PMS tank

 RMS tank

 DPK tank

 AGO tank

 Slop tank

 Water tank

The tanks have their differences based on;

 The sizes of their valves

 The type of roof in place

PMS Tank
The PMS tanks are easily identified because they are numerous and the largest. They have a

Floating Roof.

The floating roof is suspended by pendulum bulb and the pressure of the fluid. Floating roof is a

special type of steel tank roof which floats upon the surface of the oil in the tank, thereby

11
eliminating tank breathing and reducing evaporation losses. The height of the roof varies due to

the amount of product in the tank. PMS uses this roof because of the pressure build up by the

fluid. This pressure can be seen domestically after covering a keg containing petrol for over 2hrs,

a pop sounded is heard when the keg is opened.

The PMS tank can also be identified by its valves. The largest valve of a PMS tank is the Sales

valve. This can also be identified by the presence of a bypass.

The smallest valve is the Pumping valve.

The medium sized valve is the Reception valve.

Tanks for storing PMS are 11, 12, 13, 14, 21 & 22

RMS Tank
The RMS tanks in the depot has been converted to PMS tanks. This is due to the high demand of

PMS in the society. The tanks have a Floating roof. The tanks are RMS because unlike PMS

tanks, the largest valve is the Reception valve and the medium sized valve is the Sales valve. The

smallest valve remains unchanged as the Pumping valve.

AGO Tank
An AGO tank is very similar to a PMS tank. The only difference between them is the Fixed roof

of the AGO tank.

12
Figure 1.2 shows the fixed roof of an AGO tank

Tanks for storing AGO 41 - 44

DPK Tank
It is similar to the AGO tank. The only difference is the smaller size of the tank due to low

demand of DPK. Tanks for storing DPK 31- 34

Slop Tank
Slop tank are used to store oily water mixture from cargo tank washing. After decantation

process is successfully carried out in the Oil/water separator, the products are sent to the slop

tank for storage. The slop tanks available are tanks 51, 52, 53 and 54

13
Figure 3.3 shows the slop tanks

Water Tank

Figure 3.4 shows a water tank

There is a huge tank in the depot for water. This is the tank 61. The presence of such tank is for

safety as the tank supplies water to the various outlets around the depot. Since the depot is

involved with highly flammable fuels, water is needed in case of any fire outbreak.

Some red pipes are laid all over the depot. The pipes are all connected to tank 61.

The tanks containing products has some different valves/outlets;

14
 1. Dewatering valve: this helps in decantation as some minute percentage of water is found

in the tank. Since water settle in an oil/water mixture, the water is drained until product

level is reached.

2. Roof drain valve: this is used to drain water/product found on the roof of the tank.

3.2 LOADING GANTRY

The loading gantry is the section of operations that deals with the dispensation of petroleum

products to tankers. There are 6 islands available. Each island has a pump, meter and nozzle.

- The pump allows for the product to flow from the sales valve to the island and into the

tanker with sufficient pressure. This makes it possible to fill over 70 tankers in a day.

- The meter is used to take readings of the volume of the product dispense. It is very

important that it works perfectly since tankers are of different sizes.

- The nozzle is a foldable device that helps channel the product into the tankers.

15
Figure 3.5 shows the Loading Gantry

Each island is manned by 2 operators. The tankers that can get to the island must have their earth

plug active. If this isn’t in place, the island can go in flames as it did September 2019. Some fire

extinguishers and water outlets are also available for safety purposes.

Along the end of the loading gantry, there is an irrigation system that takes spills of the product

into the Oil/water separator pit. To the right of the loading gantry are some pumps which allows

for easy decantation of product to the Slop tanks for cases of meter malfunction and the likes.

16
Figure 3.6 shows the pumps for decantation. 2nd frame shows the drain system to the

Oil/water separator pit.

As mentioned earlier, petroleum products from the depot tanks are dispensed to the road tankers

from the Loading Gantry. Each loading gantry consists of the following:

a) Two loading arms: Each pair of loading arm must dispense same product.

b) Two positive displacement meters and loading meters: These ensure that accurate records

of products delivered by the loading pumps are kept, they are pneumatically activated.

c) Two loading ticket printers: These print the loaded quantities on the loading ticket.

d) Accuload II process controllers: It is a meter control and measurement system used to

control a lane of loading arms; it has dual loading ticket printers below and loading control

panel. They are stand-alone process controller and are electronically activated.

3.3 PRODUCT RECEIVING AREA (PRA)

The PRA host most of the machines used for operations. These machines include:

 Mainline pump

17
  Oil/water separator

 Manifold

 Sunk pit

Mainline Pump

Figure 3.7 shows the mainline pump A & B

This is a special pump used to transfer fluids over a long distance. It was the heaviest machine in

the depot. It was used in pumping fluids to Ilorin depot.

The mainline pump used in the depot is a 9 stage pump. The mainline pump uses a centrifugal

system.

The mainline pump consists of:

i. Booster pump: this increases the pressure of the fluid about to enter the mainline

pump

18
 ii. Lube oil: it lubricates the mainline pump

iii. Cooling fan: it regulates the temperature of the mainline pump.

iv. Discharge valve: this is the outlet of the mainline pump through which the fluid

leaves the depot. The pressure of the discharge has to be high for the fluid to be

transferred over a long distance.

v. Pressure control valve (PCV): it regulates the discharge pressure

Oil/Water Separator

All the drainages along the are of operations are connected to the oil/water separator. Due to the

fact that the products i.e. oil, and water are of different densities, the content of the separator

would form different layers. The layer of interest can be pumped to the Slop tank after removal

of water which would have settled down. Product from decantation of tankers and accidental

spills during dewatering of the tanks are sent to the oil/water separator pit to prevent loss of

product.

Figure 3.8 showing an Oil/water separator

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Manifold

The manifold is a wide and bigger pipe/channel into which smaller pipes or channels lead. It is

the section where all pipes lead to. It is from the manifold tanks are lined up.

The tank to which the product is to be received has its reception valve open before it is lined up

at the manifold. Since the tanks are grouped based on their products, the have sections leading

straight back. For example, product can flows from the manifold to the PMS section and the

PMS tank for which it has its reception valve opened.

Same thing applies for pumping.

Sunk pit

Sunk/Suction pit is the mud tank from which mud is picked up by the suction of the mud pumps.

The suction pressure is always monitored for the mainline pump to be stable. Suction occurs via

a one way pipe.

Stock
The stock is in charge of ascertaining the total amount of products in the depot

3.4 THE CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM

In order that proper overall planning for the movement of products from source depot to

distribution depot can be achieved, it is necessary to establish a common Centre where all

relevant information is collected and processed and from which the necessary instructions and/or

direct commands emanate. In the case of the product pipelines complex the natural choice for

such a Centre is the central control room located at depots.

Pipelines are controlled and operated remotely, from what is usually known as The Central

Control Room. Pipeline employees through the control panel control the pumps and other aspects

20
of pipeline operations. The control panel/board is such that return real-time information about the

rate of flow, the pressure, the speed and other characteristics.

Figure 3.9 The Control Board

3.5 PROCESS CONTROLS

All Field Operations and Processes Are Monitored And Controlled From The Control Room;

These Include Amongst Others

a) Pump Controls

b) Tankage Activities

c) Interface Monitoring

d) Pigging Activities

e) Fire Fighting Activities

21
 f) Metering And Meter Proving Activities

g) Communication Within Depot And Other Locations

h) Diesel Engine Pump and Flow Control Panel which consists of Process control

computers, Metering and Meter Prover Controls, Densitometers and Pig Signalers

i) Fire Fighting Control and Annunciator Control Panel which indicate Process and Alarm

status of Equipment and Variables.

j) Electric Motor Pump Control Panel.

3.6 FACILITIES THAT AID OIL MOVEMENT

1. Pipelines

Pipelines are the irreplaceable core of the Nigeria petroleum transportation system and hence the

key to meeting petroleum demand. Without oil pipelines, Petroleum products would not reach

the millions of consumers all around the country. The pipelines connect the flow stations,

refineries, depot, pump station, and jetties in a network.

Types By Pipelines

In general, pipelines can be classified in three categories depending on purpose:

 Gathering pipelines

They are group of smaller interconnected pipelines forming complex networks with the

purpose of bringing crude oil or natural gas from several nearby wells to a treatment plant

or processing facility. In this group, pipelines are usually short- a couple of hundred

22
 metres- and with small diameters. Also sub-sea pipelines for collecting product from

deep water production platforms are considered gathering systems.

 Transportation pipelines

They are mainly long pipes with large diameters, moving products (oil, gas, refined

products) between cities, countries and even continents. These transportation networks

include several compressor stations in gas lines or pump stations for crude and

multiproduct pipelines.

 Distribution pipeline

They are composed of several interconnected pipelines with small diameters, used to take

the products to the final consumer. Some may have feeder lines to distribute gas to homes

and businesses downstream. Pipelines at terminals for distributing products to tanks and

storage facilities are included in this group.

Types by Product Transported

 Multi product pipeline

Pipelines transporting more than one product and employing batch sequencing

operations. In Nigeria Multi product pipelines are used to transport products.

 DEDICATED PRODUCT PIPELINE

Pipeline conveying a single product

2. Flow Station

23
These facilities are usually located in areas where upstream activities are being carried out. They

are used for the gathering and the transportation of the crude to three local refineries for refining

through pipeline (crude lines).

3. Vessels

These are water transportation facilities of different capacities through which petroleum products

are carried and transmitted in the water ways. For instance petroleum products are transmitted

from Port Harcourt to Calabar through vessels. They have both Local and international

application.

4. Terminals

These are locations built in the high sea and Water Ways mainly for exportation/importation of

petroleum products. The two Major terminals in Nigeria are at Escargot and Atlas cove which

deals mainly with imported refined products (usually PMS) and Bonny export the products.

5. Depots

It is an industrial facility for the storage of oil and products and from which these products are

usually transported to end users or further storage facilities. They are like bus stops on the land

along the pipe, lines. They are made up of Storage tanks and Pumping Machines that makes

product available to local consumers in different geographical locations. The facilities are to

ensure proper distribution and availability of the products at different places for marketing

purposes. In Nigeria we have 22 depots.

 Source depots

24
Depots from Which Pipeline Operations Could Be Initiated

 Destination depots

Depots That Only Receive Products from Pipelines and Dispense To Road Tankers

6. Pump Station

They are facilities housing Pumping Equipment for Petroleum products. They are usually built in

the transmission lines to increase the flow pressure or flow rates. They are usually built along the

pipeline when the distance of the flow is far or the topography of the right of way is undulating.

There are always booster pumps to increase the pressure of flow at pump stations. They take care

of changes in pressure along the line flow. Most pumps are driven by electric motors, although

diesel engines or gas turbines may also be used.

7. Filling Stations

These are mini depots constructed to ensure the availability of the products at the door steps of

consumers. The products are supplied to these stations via tankers or truck the load at main

depots. Both the Mega are minor stations are controlled by NPSC. They can be retaining outlets

3.7 SYSTEM SCHEDULING

Here accurate current information on all movements and reports from all the operational areas

are collected from the Radio room and transmitted to the system schedulers who are in charge of

preparing schedules for the department and top management decisions. These reports are further

used to prepare the following reports using Microsoft Excel. The reports prepared include:

a) Daily Loading and Bridging Reports: This report shows the products loaded in all the

operational areas and the number of trucks loaded per day. While the Bridging report shows

25
 the number of trucks that was used to transport products to other regions and the amount

loaded per day.

b) Tank Status Report: This report just as the name implies shows the maximum volume of the

tank, the dead stock i.e. the stock that is not liftable and must be left in the tank, the pump

able stock, the current tank level and current volume of products in the storage tanks.

c) Pumping Performance: This report shows the product pumped and receipt in all the

operational areas. It describes the pumping performance of lines and their down time i.e. the

period of inactiveness or a period when the pumps are on shutdown.

d) Two page Report: This report is basically on NPSC’S products stock/loading nationwide. It

also shows the jetty operations, depot stock, pumping operations, line fills, daily bridging

report and private depot operations.

3.8 RADIO ROOM /TELECOMMUNICATION

NPSC has a Radio room where all relevant information is collected from all the operational areas

and transmitted appropriately either via e-mail or radio message. She also has telecommunication

gadgets to ensure effective communication in the discharge of duties. These includes: GSM,

Landline and Walkie-Talkie. These are used in dissemination of information in the different

departments and sections of the company.

3.9 INTERFACE MONITORING

Interface on petroleum products in multi- purpose pipelines systems refers to as the zone of

demarcation between two products when mixing occurs. Generally, interface is a boundary layer,

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so the boundary between two products when they are pumped in succession is known as

interface. During the pumping of these products they are not allowed to come in contact with

each other because of lack of tolerance, due to this, they are pumped in successions. Generally

interface when properly handled has no effect on the quality of the product but if it is not

properly handled and cut at the appropriate time there would be product contamination.

During interface cutting or monitoring, there is usually a buffer inside the pipeline that separates

the two products that are to be pumped. The buffer is a contaminated product and so it is to help

the pipeline operators know the appropriate time for cutting. The pipeline operators continues to

track the interface using the thermometer for checking the temperature of the product and the

hydrometer to continuously measure the density of the product and compare the differences.

When a significant change in density of the product is observed, the receiving tank is closed to

ensure that the product is not contaminated. The pipeline operators then perform same routine

and if it is the buffer, the slop tank is opened to receive the contaminated product; after which the

second tank is opened depending on the next product in the line. There is always a certain

amount of intermixing between the first product and the second at the "interface," the point

where they meet. If the products are similar, such as two grades of gasoline, the resulting mixture

is added to the lower value product. If the products are dissimilar, such as diesel and gasoline,

the "transmix," the hybrid product created by intermixing at the interface, must be channeled to

separate storage and reprocessed

3.10 QUALITY CONTROL LABORATORY IBADAN

Specimen collection: Samples are usually collected from marketers at the Tarmac, which is a

place where trucks that bridged or those containing products are parked and also from the tank

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farm. The products are mainly Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and

Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The entire products must be tested for certification by carrying out quality control test on them

before reaching the final consumers. These samples are collected with a container called “thief

can” which is dipped into the truck for the collection of the top, bottom and middle.

3.10.1 QUALITY CONTROL TEST

In the quality control laboratory, the following test are usually carried out:

a) TEMPERATURE TEST

b) DISTILLATION PROFILE MAINLY FOR PMS

A. Determination of temperature
AIM: To determine the temperature of PMS, DPK AND AGO

APPARATUS USED: Thermometer, Measuring cylinder

PROCEDURE: The samples collected from the tanks was poured into the measuring cylinder,

the thermometer was dipped into it and left for about 2-3 minutes, the temperature reading was

then taken and recorded. This procedure was repeated for the remaining samples.

NORMAL RANGE: At least normal room temperature.

PRECAUTION

a) It is ensured that the measuring cylinder was rinsed with the product to be tested before

carrying out the test.

b) It is ensured that the temperature reading was taken as the thermometer was removed

from the measuring cylinder to obtain an accurate result.

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B. Determination of PMS distillation
Distillation is the process of purifying [a liquid] by heating it so that it vaporized, then cooling

and condensing the vapor and collecting the resulting liquid. Distillation is a widely used method

for separating mixture based on differences in the conditions required to change the phase of

mixture of liquids.

AIM: To determine the minimum temperature at which the product starts evaporating that is the

initial boiling point and the maximum temperature at which the sample stop boiling which is

the final boiling point.

APPARATUS USED: Petroleum products distillation tester, Distillation flask and cork,

Measuring cylinder, Cooling bath (chamber), Thermometer.

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PROCEDURE

100ml of PMS was measured into the distillation flask, the flask was corked with the

thermometer fitted at the middle, the flask was then placed into the distillation machine and heat

was applied to vaporize the sample. The cooling bath of the distiller was filled with Ice; the

temperature was then raised to 200c because a good product would start condensing at about

300c. The measuring cylinder was placed close to the collection unit of the distiller to collect the

condensed liquids. The temperature observed at the fall of the first drop of condensate into the

measuring cylinder was recorded and taken as the initial boiling point (IBP). The temperature

reading at which 5ml, 10ml, 20ml, 30ml, 40ml, 50ml and 70ml was also taken; next the

temperature was increased by 50c and the temperature at which 90ml and 95ml was recovered

was recorded, after which the maximum temperature reached during the test was recorded as the

final boiling point (FBP).

NORMAL RANGE
The normal range for any good PMS sample is 205 0C-2070C; any product that boils above this

temperature is suspected to contain impurities.

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Figure 3.11 Petroleum Product Distillation Tester

QUALITY CONTROL CERTIFICATE

After all the tests have been carried out on the samples taken from the marketers at the tarmac,

and the results are within the specified range, there is a certificate issued to the marketers. This

certificate is called the quality control certificate. When completed, the test results are stated in

the quality certificate to show that the products are on-spec (within range) or off-spec (outside

range). There are specifications that have been placed for each petroleum product. After the tests,

if the product is on-spec, the certificate is printed and attached to their way bills and sent to the

laboratory scientist for signing after which it is then taken to the Depot manager for certification

and then to the department of Petroleum resources for their acknowledgement after which it is

given to the marketers to continue with the distribution of the product.

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3.11 PUMPING OPERATION
The process of product pumping can be summarized as follows; first before product is pumped

out at the depot a tank is nominated for pumping and a depot operator then performs the tank

dipping exercise to measure the tank level, draw up a representative sample of the product with

the Thief Can for laboratory analysis of the density, flash point, distillation for gasoline and other

necessary characteristics. Water draining or dewatering exercise is also carried out to ensure that

the tank is free of water.

The receiving depot operator prepares an empty tank to receive the product, If an empty tank is

not readily available and a tank already containing product is to be used. When all preparations

are complete at the receiving end and pumpstation, the pumpstation operator then gives the

Depot operator the final signal for alertness.

The power plant department is then called to syncronise the two generators to work as one then

cooling fan is switched on for some minutes at the control room, then booster pump is switched

on to pump the product in the tank.

After that is done then the pump is switched on then the pressure valve control is adjusred to

balance both the discharge pressure and the outgoing pressure.

3.12 TERMINOLOGIES IN OPERATIONS

Various operations are carried out on a daily basis. They involve the use of some terminologies

which are:

 Dead stock: this is the safe height to which the fluid can be drained to. The dead stock

value was 2m

 Safe level: it is the safest level to store a fluid particularly a liquid in a tank. This is done

so that the roof of the tank isn’t destroyed because if so, it’ll cost a lot of money.

32
 Max heights: this is the maximum height of the storage tank.

 Floating roof: this is a roof suspended by pendulum bulb and the pressure of the fluid.

The height of the roof varies. PMS uses this roof because of the pressure build up by the

fluid. It is a special type of steel tank roof which floats upon the surface of the oil in the

tank, thereby eliminating tank breathing and reducing evaporation losses.

 Fixed roof: this is a roof made to be fixed from the scratch. The height of the roof doesn’t

vary. AGO uses a fixed roof.

 Manifold: is a wide and bigger pipe/channel into which smaller pipes or channels lead. It

is the section where all pipes lead to

 Dipping: it is the process of measuring the stock height in a tank. This is done with the

use of a dip and a dip marker. The dip maker is specific to the fluid to be dipped e.g.

PMS dip maker, AGO dip maker, etc.

 De-watering: it is the process of removing the water content of the stock from the storage

tank. This is done through the dewatering pipe (it is the fastest outlet pipe because it is at

the lowest point of the storage tank).The dewatering outlet is opened until the stock in the

tank is seen. For PMS, the fluid is brown right before the pipe is closed.

 Pumping: the act of pushing products from the tank to its target destination (Ilorin)

through the mainline pump.

 Receiving: the act of receiving products from the depot at mosimi through the reception

valve into our tanks.

 Sales: this occurs at the loading gantry. Products are sold to incoming tankers at the rate

of N133.

 Dewatering: this is the separation of water from products.

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 Hourly readings: the tank level and volume of product is transmitted to the Mosimi depot

every hour. The station pressure is also communicated to observe if there has been a

leakage.

 Decantation: this is the separation of product and water due to their various densities.

 Oil water separator pit: in this pit, separation by decantation takes place

 Loading gantry and island: this is where tankers are filled with products.

 Manifold: this is where all valves both inlet and outlet are connected to.

 Pressure : suction, discharge, outgoing and station pressure are read from their respective

gauge around the mainline pump or their valves.

 Tank level: this is the level of product contained in the tank which is read in millimeters.

 Batch total: this is the amount of product received or pumped according to the current

dispatch order given.

 Dipping: this is the act of using a dip meter to measure the tank level.

 Dewatering: this is the removal of water from a tank that contains products.

 Line up: this is the opening and closing of some for valves for the purpose of sales,

reception or pumping of product.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 METHODOLOGY

4.1 HOURLY READING FOR PUMPING

When given a dispatch order for pumping, pumping commences via the mainline pump.

Procedures taken

1. Line up the tank for pumping. Make sure you know the tank level before commencing.

2. Make sure the power supply is ready for pumping since the mainline pump is an heavy

machine.

3. Turn on the booster pump.

4. Turn on the lube oil and the cooling fan for the mainline pump used.

5. After about 3 minutes for stabilization, turn on the mainline pump with the PVC half way

opened.

6. Gradually open the PVC until the pump and the gauges are balanced.

7. Hourly readings are measured by the designed computers or by personnel manually using

a dip meter.

8. Procedure 7 continues until batch is completed.

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Figure 4.1 shows a computerized tank level reading
Due to the disruption in communication, the readings from the computer wasn’t accurate. Often

times the readings were taken manually.

4.2 HOW TO COMPUTE FOR HOURLY READING

- After the tank level has been measured, the measurement is inserted into this sheet

alongside the parameters (suction, station and discharge pressures).

36
- The table for the specific tank used for pumping is used to read the tank level

37
 The reading from the table is kept inside the formula

Batch= table reading – roof displacement x correction factor – reading @0600 hr +

readin batch@0600

g
- From the batch reading, the flow rates are estimated.

Figure 4.2 shows the table for tank 43

The same procedure is used for reception. The only difference is the fact that the tank level

increases during reception but reduces during pumping.

38
At the end of the day, the stock is prepared at 0600hr which will contain a comprehensive

information of all product received, sold and pumped.

Figure 4.3 shows a complete stock

4.3 HOW TO MEASURE TANK LEVEL

To measure manually, one has to climb to the top of the tank with the following;

 A Dip

39
  Product marker (e.g. PMS marker)

 Wipe

A dip is an instrument with millimeter readings up to 30 meters. It is used to acquire the actual

height of product present in a tank. It has a pendulum end to make the reading accurate by allow

it rest on the exact bottom of the tank.

Figure 4.4 Dip meter

A product marker is a paste which is wiped off or is given a mark by a certain product. Available

in the depot was PMS and water marker used for PMS and water respectively.

A wipe is needed to clean off the marker in order to keep the dip in a good shape.

Procedure

1. Climb to the top of the tank where you will open the dip hole.

2. Insert the dip into the hole.

3. Add the product marker to a range of estimated tank level.

40
 4. Put the dip gradually into the hole to the maximum height of the tank (e.g. tank 12=

19.6m)

5. Raise your hand and drop the dip slowly until you feel the pendulum on the bottom of the

tank.

6. Retrieve the dip and you’ll see the actual height of the product.

Sample of batch total reading

At 08:47 the tank level reading for tank 22 was 4288mm

Reading 4288 from table 22 = 3090.400 + 4.333

= 3094.733

Then, 3094.733 – 68.885 * 0.9865 – 3105 + 5133

Vol roof dis corr fact level@6 batch@6

= 5253

Preparation of stock
The stock is prepared by the operators by simply comparing volumes before operations to
volumes at the end of the operations.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATUION

5.1 CONCLUSION
Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme was a very relevant experience as it gave me the

competencies required to do a job or carry out a function. It improved my knowledge, skills,

abilities and attitudes required to do a specific job or carry out a specific function.

During the course of my industrial training program, I was familiar with the professional

environment and its activities; I met professional petroleum engineers who taught me what it

means to practice petroleum engineering in the upstream sector. The program also helped to

improve my writing, calculation skills, communication and listening skills. It diversified my

practical experience and helped me in developing the attribute of team work and correlation with

members of other professions and disciplines. I also learn some safety skills which make me to

be disciplined in the Workshop and able to use the right tool for the right Job and I also

understand it is very necessary to use my Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before doing any

Work.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION
I want to say sincerely that the industrial training is of great importance to the student’s field of

study and therefore great attention should be given to it. The industrial training supervisors

should improve their relationship with the students and give them detailed information on

whatever they are doing, to make them work independently. Firms and companies should also

assist the students on training with funds to serve as incentives and financial aids.

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5.3 PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
During the period of my industrial attachment with Pipelines And Products Marketing Company

I encountered the following problems:

1. Malfunctioning of some of the apparatus and Equipment at the Depot

2. Inhalation of petroleum products during loading and other harmful gases

3. Lack of provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) such as nose mask

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 REFERENCES

NNPC. (2020, January 1). NNPC. Retrieved from NNPC:

http://www.nnpcgroup.com/nnpcbusiness/subsidiaries/phrc.aspx
ONyemauau, M. (2019, January 19). SIWES Beginner. Retrieved from SIWES Beginner:
https://siwesbeginner.com/write-siwes-report/
Sulver . (2004, June 13). Pipes and Products. Retrieved from Sulver PnP:
http://www.sulzer.com/en/Products-and-Services/Pumps-Services

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