In the petroleum production industry, the average size of a lease production tank, based on answers to a questionnaire, is approximately 500 barrels, though sizes may vary from 100 to 3000 barrels. These tanks are often used to store produced fluids which are corrosive. These fluids may include one or more of the following: salt water, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, carbon dioxide, or organic acids. Protection of the tank's interior surfaces is important. A coating for this service should be resistant to organic acids, condensed water droplets, both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and, in the case of sour condensate or crude oil, to permeation by hydrogen sulfide. Responses to the questionnaire showed that a coal tar epoxy lining is the most frequently used lining for lease production tanks. Since an industry standard that establishes a method for proper application of coal tar epoxy linings in lease production tanks has not been previously available to tank owners or painting contractors, this standard on the application of interior, protective, coal tar epoxy lining for lease production tanks has been prepared by NACE Technical Unit Committee T-1G.

 1 1 This standard recommended practice presents a method for applying catalyzed coal tar epoxy coating to the interior of lease production tanks used primarily for the storage of corrosive fluids produced in the petroleum production industry.

1.2 All phases of the lining process are presented, including material properties, surface preparation and coating application.

1.3 This recommended practice presents basic safety precautions necessary during mixing, sand blasting and spray coating of the tank interior. More detailed instructions can be found in "A Manual for Painter Safety," NACE Publication 6D163

Historical Document 1981