The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has issued guidelines for the establishment and operations of downstream gas facilities across Nigeria. This follows the gas explosion that claimed several lives and destroyed properties at Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos State after the preliminary reports from the department’s investigations revealed that the facility was operating without licence and was carrying out illegal operations which resulted in the unfortunate incident.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, DPR’s Director, Sarki Auwalu noted that companies seeking to establish gas-dispensing facilities would be required to obtain three approvals and licences, among others, before commencing operations. He said the guidelines stipulate the minimum requirements, procedures and conditions to be fulfilled before the grant of approvals or licences for the construction, installation, modification, takeover, relocation and operations of downstream gas facilities in Nigeria. According to him, it includes guidelines for the establishment and operations of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, also known as cooking gas, refilling plants and retail outlets; guidelines for establishment of auto gas refuelling stations and add-on gas facility; and guidelines for the establishment of gas storage and utilization.
Auwalu explained 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 said: “Companies intending to establish these facilities must satisfy all necessary requirements stipulated by DPR and obtain the underlisted applicable approvals: Site suitability approval; Approval to Construct (ATC)/Approval to Install; and Licence 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.” He stated that the aims of the guidelines were to ensure that the baseline standard regarding Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) was achieved and maintained in all the facilities. Auwalu added that stakeholders and investors can get further details from the Department’s website –www.dpr.gov.