1.1
This Standard covers the minimum design, construction, operation, abandonment,
and safety aspects of hydrocarbon storage in underground formations and
associated equipment. Equipment shall include all subsurface process
equipment, the wellhead, and all safety equipment related to the storage
facilities, wells, and wellheads. Hydrocarbons shall include crude oil,
diesel, natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, and other hydrocarbons
by themselves or in mixtures. 1.2
The scope of this Standard is shown in Figure 1.1. 1.3
This Standard does not apply to
(a) underground storage facilities for gases or fluids other than hydrocarbons,
ie, storage facilities used for air storage, unless these fluids are used
specifically for the displacement of stored hydrocarbons;
(b) underground storage facilities used for purposes other than for storing
hydrocarbons, ie, reaction chambers, waste disposal;
(c) underground storage in overburden materials involving the use of tanks, ie,
gasoline tanks;
(d) design and fabrication of pressure vessels that are covered by pressure
vessel codes;
(e) heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, and piping in processing plant
facilities, manufacturing plants, or industrial plants that are covered by
appropriate codes; or
(f) gathering lines, flow lines metering, compressors, and associated surface
equipment beyond the first emergency shutdown or block valve. 1.4
It is not the intent of this Standard to prevent the development of new
equipment or practices, or to prescribe how such innovations should be handled. 1.5
Where any requirements of this Standard are at variance with the requirements
of other Standards or Codes incorporated by reference into this Standard, the
requirements of this Standard shall govern. 1.6
The requirements of this Standard shall not be applied retroactively to
existing installations and installations under construction at the time of its
approval but shall apply to the extension, replacement, maintenance, and
upgrading of such installations.