The American Petroleum Institute published a new set of recommended practices for testing and classifying crude oil for rail shipment and loading it into rail tank cars. Given its importance, API said it initially would make the new standard available to interested parties at no charge.
“This particular standard is one element of a much broader approach to safety improvement,” API Pres. Jack N. Gerard said as RP 3000 was rolled out on Sept. 25. “A comprehensive effort that addresses accident prevention, mitigation, and response is essential to achieving our goal of zero incidents for crude by rail shipments.”
API said that RP 3000 provides guidance on many important aspects of preparing to ship crude oil by rail, including:
• Procedures for initial and ongoing sampling and testing of crude for transport classification.
• Criteria for determining the frequency of crude sampling and testing, and how to document results.
• How to assign the correct Packing Group.
• Establishing a crude oil sampling and testing program.
• Proper quantity measurement procedures to prevent overfill when loading crude oil into rail tank cars.
Gerard said that proper testing, classification, and handling are important when shipping any material subject to US Pipeline & Hazardous Material Safety Administration regulations, and crude oil is no exception.
“These guidelines are the product of extensive work and cooperation between the oil and gas industry, the freight rail industry, and PHMSA to ensure crude shipments are packaged appropriately, and emergency responders have the right information,” he said.
Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].
