Install VRU Storage Tanks

There are about 500,000 crude oil storage tanks in the United States. These tanks are used to hold oil for brief periods of time in order to stabilize flow between production wells and pipeline or trucking transportation sites. In addition, the condensate liquids contained in produced gas that are captured by a mist eliminator filter/ coalescer ahead of the first compressor station in transmission pipelines are often directed to a storage tank as well. During storage, light hydrocarbons dissolved in the crude oil or condensate—including methane and other volatile organic compounds (VOC), natural gas liquids (NGLs), hazardous air pollutants (HAP), and some inert gases—vaporize or "flash out" and collect in the space between the liquid and the fixed roof of the tank. As the liquid level in the tank fluctuates, these vapors are often vented to the atmosphere.