Technical Insight

Tank Farm Engineering: From Design to Commissioning in West Africa

May 2026 · 7 min read

The Tank Farm Lifecycle

Delivering a tank farm from concept to commissioning requires coordinated engineering across multiple disciplines. A typical programme follows six phases: FEED, detailed design, fabrication, erection, testing, and commissioning. Each phase builds on the last — and errors introduced early compound significantly by the time you reach commissioning.

API 650 as the Foundation

API 650 sets the standard for welded steel tanks for oil storage. Compliance with this standard is not simply a regulatory requirement for operators like BOST — it is the engineering basis that determines tank geometry, material specifications, weld requirements, and inspection protocols throughout the lifecycle.

Commissioning and Handover

Commissioning begins after hydrostatic testing and includes final inspection, cleaning, coating verification, and documentation preparation. A complete handover package — including as-built drawings, test records, and inspection certificates — is essential for ongoing maintenance planning under API 653.

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