In this post, we explained the DPR Requirements for Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station approval to Construction and Licensing in Nigeria.
The Petroleum Regulation of 1967 that governed the establishment of automotive LPG (Autogas) Station Construction, Modification, Relocation and Licensing in Nigeria states in part 4, section 87 sub-section (2), no Petroleum Gas Plant or Installation shall be constructed or modified without approval granted by the Director of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Contravening such regulation constitutes an offence and is subject to a fine or imprisonment or both.
All Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station applications shall be addressed to the nearest field office of Director of Petroleum Resources in your Nigerian states.
Read: LPG Plant Construction Approval & Licensing Procedures
Read: LPG Licence Requirements by DPR
Autogas Station Application Statutory Documents & Design Diagrams.
(a) Three copies of the approved drawings showing the existing or proposed buildings on the site and the relevant distances to the roadways and adjoining properties, if any.
(b) Three copies of Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) of the gas filling plant and manufacturers’ data sheet of the storage tanks with codes and standards adopted in the design.
(c) A provisional approval letter and fire report by Chief Federal/State Fire officer or an officer authorized by him on his behalf, that he is satisfied with the proposed arrangement for the prevention of fire.
Read: DPR Requirements to Start Petrol Station in Nigeria
(d) A letter from the appropriate Town Planning Authority, authorizing siting of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas filling plant at the proposed site. The Town Planning approval stamps on all design drawings are accepted.
(e) Three copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company and evidence that the company is duly incorporated by the Federal Ministry of Trade to deal in petroleum products.
(f) Tax clearance certificate for the preceding three years of application or Tax exemption certificate for new company.
(g) An application fee, as may be determined by DPR, in Bank draft or certified cheque made payable to “Federal Government of Nigeria- DPR Fee Account” is payable on submission of application.
(h) Three copies of Codes, Standards and Specification adopted in the design of the tanks and ancillary equipment.
(i) A copy of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) proposal for the proposed plant and Environmental Impact Assessment report of the site.
Procedures for Grant of Approval To Construct Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station.
Before DPR will grant Approval To Construct a proposed Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station, it is mandatory that the applicant satisfies the following regulations:
1. The Review of Documents and Drawings.
The documents and design drawings submitted will be reviewed in-line with the specifications. If the documents and drawings satisfactorily meet the statutory requirements, the site proposed for the plant will be inspected accordingly otherwise the applicant will be advised to rectify all the shortcomings observed in the application.
2.2 The Site Inspection Report.
The site proposed for the Autogas Station will be inspected to determine the suitability of the location for the Autogas Station. The adjoining properties (if any) will be considered accordingly.
If the above listed requirements are met, the Director or Officer assigned by him will grant Approval To Construct (ATC) the Autogas Station.
Approval Validity: DPR Approval To Construct Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station is valid for two years.
Read: Oil & Gas Company Registration Requirements in Nigeria
Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station Construction Procedure.
The regulations and conditions governing the construction of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) station are as follows:
(a) Liquefied Petroleum Gas must be stored under pressure in vessels designed to withstand safely the vapor pressure at the maximum temperature. Construction of such vessels must be to an acceptable design code such as;
(b) The Nigerian Standards Organization approved standard on pressure Vessels and Liquefied Petroleum Gas containers N1 S220/85.
(c) The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) boiler and pressure for use in the chemical, petroleum and allied construction, test and certification.
(d) The American Petroleum Institute standard 2510(2).
(e) The British Standards (BS) 1500 PART 1, fusion welded pressure vessels for use in the chemical, petroleum and allied Industries pr BS15500 for new vessels design, construction, test and certification.
(f) The installation/construction of piping, instruments and the plant must be carried out by an accredited DPR Company.
(g) The materials used for the construction of the filling shed must be non- inflammable material.
(h) The filling shed must be open-sided for good ventilation.
Procedures for Licensing A Newly Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station.
Pre-License Inspection
On completion of construction works, the applicant shall notify the nearest DPR office and the following statutory/technical requirements shall be met or provided to facilitate pre-license inspection of the plant:
(a) A completed application form for the grant of LPG license.
(b) Certification from Weight and Measures Division Federal Ministry of Commerce that the measuring equipment installed at the plant are calibrated satisfactorily.
(c) Certification from Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) that the gas tank meets specifications and is safe for the proposed purpose.
(d) Final fire safety certification issued by Federal or State Fire Department.
(e) Mechanical leak tester.
(f) Gas detector.
(h) Warning notices and Personnel Protective Wears for the Plant operators.
(i) Gas tank and pipeline pressure test reports and certification. These facilities should be pressure tested by DPR accredited company and witnessed by Director’s assigned officer.
Read: Local Content Registration (NOGIC JQS)
Procedure for Grant of Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station Operating License
(a) When all the requirements listed in 4.0 above are satisfactorily met, DPR engineers will conduct pre-license inspection of the plant and auxiliary equipment.
(b) If the plant is built according to the approved diagrams and the engineers are satisfied with the safety arrangement of the plant, Management will consider the grant of LPG plant operating license to the deserving company.
(c) The LPG license grant fee shall depend on storage capacity of the gas vessel installed at the plant.
All applicants are to note that failure to meet the above statutory and technical requirements or any other which may come into force during the construction of the plant, may lead to non-licensing of the Automotive LPG (Autogas) Station for operation.