Safety Measures To Take For Securing Oil In Transit

There are 4 major stages between the oil well and the consumer and they include: exploration, mining, refining and transportation. Transportation is a major aspect of the stages since the only way the oil will make money is when it is moved to consumers via tankers, trucks, railcars, ships, barges and pipelines.

There are many oil brokers who match sellers and buyers and have in- depth market knowledge in the field, and are always waiting to “receive” and sell the petroleum to available market. The below are the major concerns when it comes to transportation:

• Ensuring that the oil does not spill to pollute the environment
• Ensuring that there are no chances of fire outbreak
• Ensuring that the oil is not stolen (oil bunkering, piracy and kidnapping)

It is for the above reasons that care is taken in loading, storing and moving oil products from refineries. Different products are transported differently so as to maintain their quality at the destination. Below is how this is managed:

1. Wax and tar are packaged in bulk and shipped as blocks.

2. Gaseous fuels, with propane as an example, are stirred and moved in the form of pressurized liquid. Specialized rail cars are a preferable mode of transport to the distributor.

3. Liquid fuels like gasoline, diesel and kerosene are graded and shipped together as a blend. Barge, rail and tanker ships are most preferable for such. In other cases, pipelines are used then, at point of receipt, the different products are separated for sale.

Today, there are many cases of pirates who are criminals as their intention is to seize vessels and crews and then demand for ransom for their release. Ships are being pirateproofed by means of high powered water horses to ensure they are fast enough to evade any piracy attacks while surrounding the edges of vessels with barbed wire to prevent entry of pirates. International criminal networks also seize vessels and steal oil to sell to the black market at cheaper rates at the expense of oil companies.

The good news is marine police patrol and private security vessels are also at place and in an increased number to act as a deterrent and protect business men from the inconveniences caused by pirates on water. Anti-piracy regulations ensure that suspect pirates are apprehended, investigated, and prosecuted appropriately. Insurance companies have saved oil companies greatly by offering marine policy covers that reimburse their losses in case they have been hit by piracy acts. The loss or damage of shipment and ship between the origin and destination is also covered and reimbursed in case of any eventualities.

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