GUIDELINES FOR BUNKERING OPERATIONS IN Nigeria (V)

PROCEDURE FOR BUNKER FUEL SUPPLIES AND VESSEL / BARGE CLEARANCE

1.       Vessel / Barge Clearance

i.        DPR will clear each and every vessel/ barge before being allowed to berth. Such clearance shall attract a non-refundable administrative fee of US$ 500 (or equivalent in Naira) per vessel/ barge.

ii.     Clearance to load “Bunker Fuel” to a vessel/barge from onshore storage must be obtained from the Department of Petroleum Resources.

SUPPLY OF BUNKER FUEL TO BUNKERING COMPANIES

i.        Companies will source for their bunker fuel independently.

ii.       If imported, the procedure shall conform to the current guidelines on importation of petroleum products as contained in DPR Guidelines for the importation of petroleum products.

iii.    The recertification analysis of the product composite sample is conducted in the presence of a DPR official and the result certified onspec.

A vessel shall therefore not discharge until the laboratory recertification of the product is conducted.

GUIDELINES FOR BUNKERING OPERATIONS IN Nigeria (IV)

BUNKERING OPERATIONS

i.        No person shall carry out a bunkering operation by operating a fixed or floating bunkering facility unless in possession of a valid licence issued by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (HMPR) in accordance with the provisions of these Guidelines.

ii.      A company shall not be eligible for a licence, unless it owns a vessel adequately fitted with well calibrated dispensing facility or a fixed bunkering facility constructed in accordance with DPR guidelines as contain herein and;

a)      In the opinion of the Director of Petroleum Resources the company possesses the requisite facilities and capabilities to provide such service within Nigerian waters; and

b)      Is incorporated under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

iii.    Bunkering license issued under these Guidelines shall not be transferable, or sublet to a third party.

iv.    The holder of any licence under these guidelines shall comply with all instructions, orders or directives given by the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources from time to time in relation to bunkering operations.

v.      Every company licensed under these Guidelines shall display such licence during operations and produce same to an officer authorized by the Director of Petroleum Resources on demand.

vi.    No licence shall be issued to a vessel unless it is duly registered in accordance with the NIMASA Cabotage Act, 2003.

vii.  The Director of Petroleum Resources may require the owner, who has applied for a licence or prior renewal of a licence, to bring the vessel to a place at an appointed date and time for inspection by a surveyor or any other person appointed by him.

viii.The Department of Petroleum Resources shall publish detailed Procedure Guides for Bunkering Operations in Nigeria, which shall be the working template for those Inspectors who will be involved in monitoring & supervision of the operations.

GUIDELINES FOR BUNKERING OPERATIONS IN Nigeria (III)

CONSTRUCTION OF BUNKERING FACILITIES

Facilities to be used for bunkering activities shall be fixed or mobile. The fixed facilities for the storage of bunker fuel shall include but not limited to depots and dump-barges (tied to jetties) while the mobile facilities are motorized vessels and barges.

1.       MOBILE FACILITIES

In addition to standard requirements for bunker vessels and barges, all mobile facilities shall satisfy the following conditions:

i.        Double hull with steel or fiber glass body.

ii.      Equipped with modern tracking devices as specified by DPR

iii.     Automated sampling system with real time monitoring capability.

iv.    The transfer/ dispensing hose shall be equipped with emergency disconnect system.

v.      Shall have well calibrated dispensing system that clearly indicates price of products which occasionally shall be checked for correctness by the DPR.

vi.     They shall be equipped with adequate fire fighting equipment.

vii.  Shall be equipped with automatic emergency shutdown system

viii.                        The word “BUNKERING” shall be boldly inscribed on the body of the vessel or barge.

ix.    Shall have a minimum of two fenders.

2.      FIXED FACILITIES

i.        Intending operator of a field facility shall submit application to DPR for suitability inspection. The inspection shall among other things report on:-

a.       Location & size of site/jetty/barge

b.       indication of similar facility within 2km stretch

c.       Topographic survey of site/jetty as appropriate

d.      Drainage from the site will be checked and certified by the DPR

e.       Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

ii.      Fixed facilities shall go through the process of Approval To Construct (ATC) and Approval to Operate (ATO) as contained in these guidelines

iii.    In addition to standard requirements for depots and dump-barges (tied to jetties) all fixed facilities shall satisfy the following conditions:

a.       Shall be made of steel, glass fiber or any material that satisfies acceptable international codes and standards.

b.      Equipped with automated sampling system with real time monitoring capability.

c.       The transfer hose shall be equipped with emergency disconnect system.

d.      Equipped with automatic emergency shutdown system

e.       The word “BUNKERING” shall be boldly inscribed on the jetty and the prices of products displayed.

f.        They shall be equipped with adequate fire fighting equipment.

g.       Dedicate storage tank(s) for bunker fuel.

h.      Dedicate line(s) with back-loading facilities.

i.        Be equipped with a minimum of two fenders; if dumbbarges are used.

Information curled from DPR.

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