Fuel is categorized as dangerous
and flammable goods due to the nature of the goods can cause explosion, fire,
poisoning, high temperatures, or the effects of corrosion.
Dangerous goods are classified
based on class, the most significant risk and impact on health that has a
short-term or long-term risk, and a physical impact on the objects or people.
One of Fuel characteristics is evaporation.
Evaporation is one of the factors
that contribute to fuel loss in the storage tank or during product movement,
such as: discharging, loading, intertank transfer.
Loss & gain is one of the
challenges in fuel management.
Before continuing, let's equate the perception of loss & gain numbers obtained. To find out the results, there are some data that must be available. In this case, we try determining the loss & gain during fuel in the storage tank. The simple calculation as follows:
The available stock, plus receiving and minus throughput, the result will be the stock available based on the calculation or "Book Stock". Comparing the "Book Stock" vs "Actual Stock", it will be resulted number of loss & gain. The percentage of it for each company may be various according to the reference standards, either locally or internationally.
Other factors that cause loss are:
• Inaccurate measurement of actual fuel volume.
• Incorrect fuel calculation conversion
• Leak from the facilities
• Spill
• Thief / fraud
Fuel Loss & Gain Control
People. Loss & Gain can be controlled to not exceed the tolerance percentage. In its handling, fuel cannot be separated from the operational team responsibility which includes receiving process, loading to the transportation media such as trucks, barges, tankers, rail tank wagon or intertank transfer process. Therefore, only a trained operational team is required to handle it, so that the risks that may occur from the process such as: inaccurate measurements, miscalculations and fuel spills caused by incorrectly operating equipment can be avoided.
Equipment. Standard, calibrated equipment
will affect on the results of the fuel inspection and measurement. Maintenance
schedules for equipment and facilities to prevent malfunctions shall be in
place and consistently carried out. Equipment and Facilities will not
immediately experience malfunctions, but there is a degradation process that
occurs as an early sign. With the availability of a schedule and consistency in
maintenance, it will detect early signs of degradation so that appropriate
action can be taken to avoid major issues.
Operation Control. Fuel handling must be based on proper
procedures by considering the effectiveness, efficient, productivity, while
still guided by Health, Safety, Security & Environment. The Operations Team
is responsible for maintaining fuel stock from fraud or theft.
Loss Investigation
Analyze daily stock report to
ensure fuel loss & gain does not exceed a predetermined tolerance percentage.
Investigation is required if there is a discrepancy in the report.
Broadly speaking, the factors
that cause loss can be identified from their characteristics, such as:
Leak on fuel facilities. Daily stock reports
experience patterned losses, starting with small numbers, then gradually the
loss numbers increasing, it depends on the facility's ability to withstand the
load and pressure of the fuel. Performing inspections at monitoring wells,
leaking fuel will be detected early at this facility.
Measuring Equipment Accuracy. The loss pattern
will be almost the same as the leak in the storage tank. Re-checking to ensure
the accuracy of the measurement can be done internally by manual or digital.
Fuel Spill. Could have an impact on a huge
number of losses, but the volume can be estimated. The focus is to minimize the
impact of pollution on the environment by closing the flow, localizing the spill,
and cleaning the area.
Thief / fraud. The report reads a regular loss
or one-time loss pattern. Verify all measurement reports, calculations, volume
conversions, if needed, repeat the process. In some cases, the theft most likely
involves internal party and group. Check all valves in the fuel lines, if there
are signs of damage to the facilities, the possibility of theft is carried out
by the external parties.
A comprehensive investigation is required
to find out the root causes of losses that exceed the tolerance.
Nowadays, the technology keeps improving, this
allowing fuel loss controllable. Real Time data could detect loss patterns so
that it can be estimated the total loss that will occur in one day, even every hour.
So that the investigation after the event of fuel loss can be minimized since
it will be difficult.
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