API API Environmental Regulations & Spill Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal regulation requires facilities handling oil to develop and implement a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan?
- Clean Water Act (40 CFR Part 112) (Correct answer)
- RCRA Subtitle C
- CERCLA Section 103
- TSCA Title I
Correct answer: Clean Water Act (40 CFR Part 112)
40 CFR Part 112, enacted under the Clean Water Act, mandates SPCC plans for facilities with oil storage above threshold quantities.
Question 2: Under API Recommended Practice 652, what is the primary purpose of lining aboveground storage tank (AST) floors?
- To prevent corrosion and soil/groundwater contamination from tank bottoms (Correct answer)
- To increase tank storage capacity
- To reduce evaporative emissions
- To satisfy OSHA confined space entry requirements
Correct answer: To prevent corrosion and soil/groundwater contamination from tank bottoms
API RP 652 covers lining of AST floors to protect against internal corrosion and prevent product releases that contaminate soil and groundwater.
Question 3: What does the acronym 'NPDES' stand for in the context of oil and gas environmental compliance?
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (Correct answer)
- National Petroleum Disposal and Emission Standards
- No-Point Discharge Environmental Standard
- National Pipeline Distribution and Emission Survey
Correct answer: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPDES is the EPA permitting program under the Clean Water Act that regulates discharges of pollutants into US waters.
Question 4: API Standard 2000 addresses venting of atmospheric and low-pressure storage tanks primarily to:
- Prevent over- or under-pressure conditions and control vapor emissions (Correct answer)
- Maximize throughput during high-volume transfers
- Satisfy fire suppression system requirements
- Comply with OSHA lockout/tagout procedures
Correct answer: Prevent over- or under-pressure conditions and control vapor emissions
API Std 2000 provides requirements for normal and emergency venting to protect tank integrity and manage vapor losses.
Question 5: Which API document provides guidance on the environmental and safety design of onshore petroleum refineries?
- API RP 750 (Correct answer)
- API Std 650
- API RP 580
- API Std 1104
Correct answer: API RP 750
API RP 750 covers management of process hazards at petroleum refineries, addressing environmental and safety design considerations.
Question 6: According to EPA Tier II reporting requirements, petroleum storage facilities must report quantities if they store a hazardous chemical above:
- 10,000 pounds (or 500 pounds for extremely hazardous substances) (Correct answer)
- 1,000 gallons of petroleum products
- 50,000 BTU equivalent energy content
- 5,000 cubic feet of natural gas
Correct answer: 10,000 pounds (or 500 pounds for extremely hazardous substances)
EPCRA Section 312 Tier II reporting is triggered at 10,000 lbs for hazardous chemicals and 500 lbs for extremely hazardous substances.
API API Environmental Regulations & Spill Prevention 1
Which federal regulation requires facilities handling oil to develop and implement a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan?