SAN FRANCISCO, October 11, (THEWILL) – Worried by the incessant gas explosion in the country, the Federal Government has issued new guidelines for the establishment and operations of gas-dispensing facilities.
In a statement on Sunday by the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Sarki Auwalu said “companies seeking to establish gas-dispensing facilities would be required to obtain three approvals and licenses, among others, before commencing operations.”
The DPR boss said, the guidelines stipulate the minimum “requirements, procedures and conditions to be fulfilled before the grant of approvals or licenses for the construction, installation, modification, takeover, relocation and operations of downstream gas facilities in Nigeria.”
He explains that new regulations cover the establishment and operations of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG or cooking gas, refilling plants and retail outlets, establishment of auto gas refueling stations and add-on gas facilities, and the establishment of gas storage and utilization.
According to Auwalu, “companies intending to establish these facilities must satisfy all necessary requirements stipulated by DPR and obtain the under listed applicable approvals: Site suitability approval; Approval to Construct (ATC)/Approval to Install; and License to Operate. Necessary amenities and equipment like functional automated/manual leak tester, functional fire alarm system, and mounted gas detectors, adequate fire water storage and sprinklers, perimeter fence with fire wall amongst others must be provided in the facilities.”
The Director added that the guidelines were developed to enhance gas penetration and utilization, enhance operational safety as well as ease of doing business in the oil and gas sector. He added that the objectives of the guidelines was to ensure that the baseline standard regarding Health, Safety and Environment, HSE, was achieved and maintained in all the facilities
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Auwalu directed stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to access the Departments website (www.dpr.gov.ng) for further details.
The Director further disclosed that preliminary reports on the Baruwa gas explosion at Ipaja revealed that the facility was operating without license and was carrying out illegal operations which resulted in the unfortunate incident.
While commiserating with families of victims, he promised that the DPR would continue to update the public on the progress of its ongoing investigation into the incident. He however said that the department will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure safe operations of all oil and gas facilities in Nigeria.
