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Petroleum Product and Allied Product Storage and Handling

Important Notice

E-Forms Now Available

Application for a Permit to Operate E-Form

Application for Transfer of Ownership E-Form


The department has streamlined the process for submitting an Application for a Permit to Operate for fixed storage tank systems and an Application for a Transfer of Ownership by introducing e-form applications that can be completed online. Click the links to access the new e-forms.

The department will continue to accept these applications in paper form until January 1, 2023. After that date applications will only be accepted through the e-form (alternative versions will remain available upon request). If you have any questions, please contact the Petroleum Storage Program.


Petroleum products continue to pose a risk of contamination to groundwater and soil. Contamination can occur from large spills or from small leaks and spills over a long period. The effects can be experienced through drinking water contamination, other public health issues, public safety concerns, and reduced real estate values.

To increase protection of the environment, the Manitoba government replaced the former legislation regulating the storage and handling of petroleum and associated products on December 17, 2001. The Regulation is entitled the Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation (MR188/2001).

Petroleum and allied product storage facilities are issued operating permits in accordance with the Regulation. A listing of current valid operating permits can be found here:

Announcements

As of July 1, 2021, Applications for a Permit to Alter a Storage Tank System by Removal will be received, reviewed, and processed by the Petroleum Storage Program of Manitoba Conservation and Climate, where previously they were processed by Regional Environment Officers.  The application form can be found here and submitted by email to petstor@gov.mb.ca or by Fax at 204-948-2338.

The Petroleum Storage Program is working on further program improvements to provide additional red tape relief to clients while maintaining the protection of human and environmental health and safety.  Please check back to this web page for updates.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Petroleum Storage Program or 204-485-5643.

Removal of expiry dates from fixed Petroleum and Allied Product Storage Tank System Permits to Operate

Please be advised that the current 5-year expiry dates on permits to operate fixed aboveground and underground petroleum storage tank systems in Manitoba are no longer necessary.

Expiry dates were imposed during a period that required system upgrades to meet the requirements of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Code of Practice as adopted by Manitoba Regulation 188/2001, the Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation. The expiry dates were intended to track those upgrades through completion. As the Petroleum Storage Program has determined that all upgrades are complete, the renewal process is being discontinued.

Please note that, while a permit renewal is not required, all other requirements indicated on the permit as well as all tests and inspections required by Manitoba Regulation MR 188/2001 Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation remain applicable to your system. Please review Technical Bulletins PSF-002 and PSF-005, available under RESOURCES, which provide guidance on the monitoring, inspection, leak detection, and maintenance requirements of the regulation for your petroleum storage tank system.  You will be receiving a re-issued Permit to Operate for your petroleum and/or allied product storage tank system(s) in the coming months that will remain valid until such time the system is altered or removed from service or the permit is cancelled or suspended by the Director.  You will not be required to provide a permit renewal application form.

The Petroleum Storage Program is working on further program improvements to provide additional red tape relief to clients while maintaining the protection of human and environmental health and safety. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Petroleum Storage Program or 204-470-8315.

Amendment to the Storage and handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulation

An amendment to the Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation, MR 188/2001 (the Regulation) became effective August 17, 2018.

The regulatory amendment removes outdated fuel quality standards by repealing Part 3 of the Regulation.  Please see the news release at: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=44661&posted=2018-10-01

Resources

Delivery of the Petroleum Product and Allied Product Storage and Handling is based on the Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation M.R 188/2001 (the Regulation). The Regulation adopts the 2003 CCME Environmental Code of Practice for Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank Systems Containing Petroleum Allied Petroleum Products (the Code of Practice).

For a copy of the Regulation, click here.

For a copy of the Code of Practice, redacted with permission by CCME, click here.

Technical Bulletins

Section 4.1 of the Regulation allows the Director to issue technical bulletins to "provide guidance on the application and interpretation of the technical or design requirements specified in this regulation or the Code of Practice". All current and approved technical bulletins can be found here.

Technical Bulletin PSF-001 - Spill Containment and Runoff Collection at Product Transfer Areas for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products for Aboveground Storage Tank Systems 5000 Litres or Larger

Technical Bulletin PSF-002 - Monitoring and Leak Detection of Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products for Aboveground Storage Tank Systems 5000 Litres or Larger and Underground Storage Tank Systems

Technical Bulletin PSF-005 - Inspection and Maintenance Requirements of Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products for Aboveground Storage Tanks Systems 5000 Liters or Larger and Underground Storage Tank Systems

Guidelines

Guidelines are documents that set out how the Department applies laws and regulations under their jurisdiction. The main purpose of Guidelines is to provide clarity in decision-making and fill in details sometimes missing from the strict nature of legal language in laws or regulations. Guidelines that are referenced in a permit or licence can be enforceable. All current and approved guidelines can be found below.

For a copy of the Inventory Reconciliation self-calculating sheet, click here. This satisfies the required regulated reporting for storage tanks, however use of this sheet is optional.

Applications

Under the Regulation, permits are required to be obtained to construct, alter or remove a petroleum storage tank system; to operate a petroleum storage facility; and to transfer an operating permit.

Licences are also required to be obtained, under the Regulation, for an individual who wishes to construct, alter, remove and/or test a petroleum storage tank system.

All Applications required to obtain a permit or a license can be found here:

Operating Permit Holders

Operating permits are issued to owners of petroleum storage facilities which are in compliance with the Storage and Handing of Petroleum Product and Allied Product Regulation M.R. 188/2001. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to maintain compliance with the permit they have been issued. Failure to comply with all requirements of the operating permit may result in your permit being suspended or cancelled, and may warrant additional enforcement under the Dangerous Good Handling and Transportation Act.

The following documents will assist in determining the requirements for your specific facility.

Technical Bulletin PSF-002 was written to clarify the information provided in Part 6 of the CCME Code of Practice. Using the tables in this technical bulletin, you can determine the type of in-service monitoring required for your storage tank system, and what periodic leak detection tests (if any) are required. A copy of the technical bulletin would have been issued with your Permit to Operate, and a copy can be found here as well:

Use the Table of contents at the beginning of PSF-002 to determine the type of system you have (e.g. aboveground or underground tank, aboveground or underground piping, single walled or double walled, etc).

Go to the appropriate page.

Look at the "in-service monitoring "column. Verify that you are conducting one of the choices listed.(A table of abbreviations can be found on Page 1.)

Look at the "periodic Leak detection" column to see if there is a requirement. The requirement for periodic leak detection is dependent on what you are doing for in-service monitoring and the type of tank you have.

Technical Bulletin PSF-002 - Monitoring and Leak Detection of Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products for Aboveground Storage Tank Systems 5000 Litres or Larger and Underground Storage Tank Systems

Inspecting and performance testing of your tank system is required by a qualified licensed petroleum technician on an annual basis. Should your tank system contain any of the items listed below, that item must be inspected and/or performance tested in accordance with manufacturer's instructions by a licensed petroleum technician.

Technical Bulletin PSF-005 - Inspection and Maintenance Requirements of Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products for Aboveground Storage Tanks Systems 5000 Liters or Larger and Underground Storage Tank Systems

  • automatic tank gauges and monitoring systems
  • high-technology sensors
  • electronic or mechanical leak detection equipment
  • corrosion protection equipment
  • pressurized piping emergency valves
  • emergency shut-down devices
  • containment sumps including dispenser, turbine and transition containment devices
  • overfill protection devices
In-Service Monitoring and Leak Detection Method Terms
Licensed Petroleum Technician Information
Becoming Licensed as a Petroleum Technician

In Manitoba, only a petroleum technician with a valid licence may perform construction or alteration work on regulated storage tank systems. A licensed petroleum technician (LPT) may not perform work outside of their areas of specialization, as specified in their licence.

Requirements for petroleum technician licensing are set out in Part 10 of the Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation, M.R. 188/2001 (the Regulation). For a copy of the Regulation, click here.

New Applicants

New applicants are individuals who have not previously been licensed in Manitoba to work on petroleum storage tank systems. To obtain a licence, an individual must hold valid petroleum mechanic certification from a recognized institution, such as the CPCA or TSSA.

A new applicant must complete and submit:

Renewing Applicants
Licences expire two years from the date of issue. The licence holder is responsible for renewing their licence before the current one expires.
To renew a licence, applicants must complete and submit:

  • an Application for Petroleum Technician Licence,
  • a copy of their valid relevant accreditation, and
  • relevant work history during their two years as a licensed petroleum technician.
LPT Change of Employer

Send completed applications and supporting documents to the Petroleum Storage Program at petstor@gov.mb.ca.

Petroleum Contractor Companies with Licensed Technicians

Notice Regarding Cathodic Protection Testing Certification in Manitoba

  • On December 30, 2014, a letter from the Director was sent to all licensed petroleum technicians informing them of the Department’s decision on cathodic protection testing technician certifcation requirements. The letter can be found here.
FAQ

LICENSED PETROLEUM TECHNICIAN QUESTIONS

Where can I find a Licensed Petroleum Tecnician (LPT) to complete my required inspections?

  • For online listings of Licensed Petroleum Technicians in Manitoba go to Licensed Petroleum Technician Resources.

How do I become a Licensed Petroleum Tecnician (LPT)?

  • In Manitoba, only a LPT may perform any construction or alteration work relating to a storage tank system. These LPTSs have their petroleum mechanic certification from a recognized institute, such as CPCA or TSSA.
  • Online information on applying to become an LPT, for renewing licenses (renewals are required every two years), and for LPTs that are changing employers can be found under Licensed Petroleum Technician Resources.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC STORAGE TANK TYPES

How do I find out if my specific type of tank requires an API inspection?

I have a vertical storage tank and Technical Bulletin PSF-002 (PSF-002) says I need an API inspection - what does that mean?

I have an aboveground tank that holds less than 5000 litres - do I need an inspection and do I need a permit?

  • Aboveground tanks less than 5000 L are subject to partial application of the provincial Regulation.
  • The most notable exemptions for tanks less than 5000 L are:
    • There is no requirement to have a licensed petroleum technician (LPT) install, alter or remove these tanks, and
    • there is no requirement to have an operating permit for the tanks.

I have an aboveground tank that holds more than 5000 litres - do I need an inspection and do I need a permit?

  • If the tank is 5000 L or greater, an LPT will be required to conduct the installation. The LPT will obtain necessary permits and submit work completion documents to the Department at the end of construction.
  • The operator will be required to submit an application to operate and may receive a Permit to Operate.

You can email us at petstor@gov.mb.ca or phone the Petroleum Storage Specialist at 204-485-5643.

Contact

Contact Information

Petroleum Storage Program
Box 36, 14 Fultz Blvd
Winnipeg MB R3Y 0L6
Ph: 204-485-5643
Email: petstor@gov.mb.ca

Regional Environment Officers
Contact information can be found here.

To Report a Spill
24-hour reporting line: (204) 944-4888
24-hour toll free reporting line: 1-855-944-4888

Additional information on reporting environmental spills and accidents click here.