GUIDELINES FOR BUNKERING OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA

Department of Petroleum Resources 2014

VERSION: 2013

REVISION: 2006

INTRODUCTION

These guidelines are made pursuant to Sections 9(1)(e) and 4(1) of the Petroleum Act 1969 (CAP P10 LFN 2004) and Section 48(7) of the Petroleum Regulations 1967 (CAP P10 LFN 2004) and shall apply to all vessels engaged in bunker fuel business/ trade within the territorial and internal waters in any part of Nigeria.

The Petroleum Industry is regulated and monitored by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources through the Department of Petroleum Resources in all matters related to petroleum exploration, production, processing and marketing.

Oil Companies, both producing and marketing, operate under licences, permits or leases granted by the Ministry pursuant to the provisions of the Petroleum Act and specific regulations for activities that include, exploration, production, processing and marketing including transportation and bunkering of petroleum products.

The approval of the Honorable Minister of Petroleum Resources is therefore required for the granting of a Bunkering Licence to successful applicant as provided for under Section 48 (7) of the Petroleum Regulations 1967.

The DPR will monitor fuel/ oil transfer operations based on the level of risk, both personnel and environmental, volume amount of fuel/ oil, familiarity with company operations, procedures, quality and track record. DPR may stop any bunkering operations or prohibit planned operations due to safety concerns or unacceptable

risk.

The purpose of these guidelines shall be to regulate, in an orderly and effective manner, all aspects relating to bunkering activities in Nigeria.

DEFINITIONS

1.       Bunkering means the process of supplying fuels, including but not limited to, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Fuel Oil, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) & lubricating oils to users in the marine environment.

2.      Licensed Bunker Supply Vessel refers to bunker vessel, ship, or barge licensed by the Department of Petroleum Resources to deliver or dispense bunker fuels and /or lubricating oils to ocean-going vessels.

3.      Bunker Receiving Vessel refers to the vessel receiving bunker fuels and lubricating oils.

4.      Bunker Fuels include but not limited to Fuel Oils, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and lubricating oils used in the marine environment.

5.      Licensed Bunker Supplier or Bunkerer refers to a company licensed by the Department of Petroleum Resources to supply bunker fuels to end users within Nigerian waters.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants shall be eligible to be licensed under these Guidelines upon satisfying the following requirements:

i.                     Applications for licence to engage in bunker fuel supply and trading shall be made in the manner described in Section 1.3 below and in the form prescribed in Appendix I.

ii.                  All companies shall be duly incorporated and registered for Bunkering business in Nigeria.

iii.                Applicants for Bunkering Licences may have Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with reputable Bunker Fuel trade partners, locally or internationally.

iv.                Applicants for Bunkering Licences must show evidence of technical and financial capabilities which will be verified by the DPR.

v.                  Bunkering licence applicants shall have functional offices with technically efficient communication equipment/ facilities capable of supplying operational data in real time to a portal created by DPR in a format to be specified by the Department.

vi.                All bunkering companies shall have a well-equipped laboratory for quality control of their products.

vii.              Applicants shall submit an Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

viii.            Applicants shall submit an Emergency Response Plan.

ix.                 Vessels owned or leased for operations must meet applicable International Bunkering Safety Standards.

x.                   Ship/ Vessels to be utilized for mobile Bunkering Operations in Nigeria MUST be listed in the Lloyds, Bureau-Veritas or any of the internationally recognized Classifications, and evidence of such registration shall be provided by the applicant.

xi.                 Design of static or jetty based bunkering facility including architectural, engineering, foundation safety and all other designs that would assist the DPR in determining the suitability of the facility.

xii.               Motorised barges to be utilized for Bunkering Operations must be registered with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and evidence of such registration shall be provided by the applicant.

xiii.             Only double hull vessels shall be used in bunkering operations.

xiv.             All bunkering companies shall have tracking and automatic sampling devices installed on their vessel(s).

Curled from the stables of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

For good Oil & Gas/Petroleum businesses in Nigeria, for your need of Oil & Gas Property such as Tank-farms, Petrol filling stations and lands for such, for genuine sellers of BLCO etc from Nigeria, Call: +234 803 887 7166.