# Chemoil — Pipeline Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** PI-20-0014  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2025-07-21

PI-20-0014 response to Chemoil concerning 195.553.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration January 10, 2022
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Mr. Matthew Williamson
Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, LLP
695 Town Center Drive, 14th Floor
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Dear Mr. Williamson:
In an October 23, 2020, letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), you, on behalf of Chemoil Terminals Corporation and its affiliates (Chemoil),
requested an interpretation of 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 195. Specifically,
Chemoil requests an interpretation pertaining to the definition of the term “buried” in 49 CFR
§ 195.553, and confirmation that certain breakout tanks located at Chemoil’s storage facility in
Carson, California are not considered “buried” and, therefore, do not require cathodic protection
(CP) pursuant to 49 CFR § 195.563(a).
In the letter, Chemoil states that it has five breakout tanks constructed between 2002 and 2008,
each with a 4-inch fiber mesh concrete pad, 80 mil high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner
(sloped to provide drainage to monitoring wells), and a sealed ring wall. Chemoil also states that
each tank design considered corrosion control in accordance with API Recommended Practice
(RP) 651 and API Standard 653.1 Chemoil asserts that because these tanks are not in contact
with the soil, they do not meet the definition of “buried” under § 195.553 and, therefore, do not
require CP under § 195.563(a).
Section 195.563(a) of the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations requires each buried or submerged
pipeline that is constructed, relocated, replaced, or otherwise changed after the applicable date in
§ 195.401(c) to have CP. The term “pipeline” expressly includes breakout tanks under § 195.2.
Section 195.553 defines “buried” as “covered or in contact with the soil.” Accordingly, only
breakout tanks in contact with soil would be required to have CP under the regulations. Section
195.583(a) of the regulations requires that each onshore pipeline that is exposed to the
atmosphere must be inspected for evidence of atmospheric corrosion at least once every three
years. If a breakout tank is not in contact with soil, operators must consider whether the tank is
1 PHMSA notes that the designs submitted with this interpretation request may not be in compliance with
API RP 651, 3rd edition, 2007, where Section 6 – Methods of Cathodic Protection for Corrosion Control and
Section 7 – Design of Cathodic Protection Systems, states that no cathodic protection systems are effective in
protecting a HDPE liner if the HDPE liner does not completely and effectively protect the interface areas. API RP
651 allows for usage of HDPE liners when the liners eliminate contact with soil and do not allow moisture to reach
the external bottom of the tank. API RP 651 describes a continuous concrete pad in Section 5.3.3.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations (49 CFR
Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the specific facts
presented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and are provided to
help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.

<<<PAGE 2>>>

2
exposed to the atmosphere and, if so, comply with subpart H of Part 195 to monitor and
remediate atmospheric corrosion.
Chemoil asserts that the entire footprint of each breakout tank is separated from the soil by a
fiber mesh concrete pad, a HDPE liner, and a reinforced ring wall and sump foundation and,
therefore, there is no path for electrical current to travel from the soil to the tank. The designs
submitted with Chemoil’s letter, however, show the tank HDPE liner does not extend past the
edges of the tank and stops where the concrete pad and reinforced ring wall meet (interface area).
The drawings submitted by Chemoil do not show that the HDPE liner goes past this interface to
ensure that the tank is not in contact with soil or that it eliminates moisture from entering the
interface area. Actual inspection results provided by Chemoil show that at least one breakout
tank developed corrosion on the bottom of the tank, indicating moisture was able to permeate
either the concrete floor, the interface area, or from outside the reinforced ring wall. This
moisture penetration created a corrosive environment on the bottom of the breakout tank. Based
on the submission, it is unclear to PHMSA whether the tank is in contact with the soil since it
appears that there is an electrolytic path to the tank bottom. Please see the footnote below for
applicable sections of API RP 651.2
If Chemoil’s tanks are in fact not in contact with any types of soil, they would not be considered
“buried” under the regulations. However, if the tanks are not in contact with soil and are
exposed to the atmosphere, then Chemoil would be required to monitor the tanks for atmospheric
corrosion, pursuant to § 195.583. It appears, from the information provided, that there is an
electrolytic path to the tank floor bottoms, so the tanks may be in contact with soil by that path,
or exposed to the atmosphere at the tank bottom interface area, which would require compliance
with either §§ 195.563 and 195.565, or § 195.583, respectively.
As mentioned above, your inspection results indicate that at least one of the breakout tanks
described has developed corrosion on the bottom of the tank. PHMSA notes that Chemoil is
required to take corrective actions to remedy the corrosion in accordance with §§ 195.401(b),
195.573(e) and 195.583(c).
2 API RP 651, Paragraph 5.3.3.3 gives an operator the following information concerning installing a concrete pad
under an aboveground storage tank:
Due to numerous complex factors that can affect the corrosion of a tank bottom underside in the presence of
concrete, prediction of the propensity of corrosion in this case is extremely difficult. Thus, care should be observed
with tanks on concrete pads since cathodic protection most likely will not help reduce any corrosion that might
occur.
Also, API RP 651, Paragraph 5.3.3.2 states that “[i]n situations where water may condense on the tank bottom or
water is retained above the concrete pad, accelerated corrosion may occur.”The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations
(49 CFR Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the
specific facts presented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and
are provided to help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.

<<<PAGE 3>>>

3
PHMSA provides written clarifications of the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts
190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current
application of the regulations to the specific facts presented by the person requesting the
clarification. Interpretations do not create legally enforceable rights or obligations and are only
provided to help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.
If we can be of further assistance, please contact Tewabe Asebe at 202-366-5523.
Sincerely,
John A. Gale
Director, Office of Standards
and Rulemaking
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety provides written clarifications of the Regulations
(49 CFR Parts 190-199) in the form of interpretation letters. These letters reflect the agency's current application of the regulations to the
specific facts presented by the person requesting the clarification. Interpretations do not create legally-enforceable rights or obligations and
are provided to help the public understand how to comply with the regulations.

<<<PAGE 4>>>

Matthew Williamson
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Direct Dial: (714) 371-2538
MWilliamson@manatt.com
October 23, 2020 Client-Matter: 66255-030
VIA FEDEX
Mr. John A. Gale
Director, Office of Standards and Rulemaking
Office of Pipeline Safety (PHP-30)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Re: Request for Written Regulatory Interpretation
Dear Mr. Gale:
I am writing on behalf of Chemoil Terminals Corporation and its affiliates (“Chemoil”)
to request a written regulatory interpretation from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (“PHMSA”). Specifically, Chemoil is seeking an interpretation pertaining to the
definition of the term “buried” at 49 C.F.R. § 195.553, and confirmation that certain breakout
tanks located at Chemoil’s storage facility in Carson, California are not “buried” under this
interpretation and therefore do not require cathodic protection pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 195.563(a).1
49 C.F.R. § 195.553 defines the term “buried” to mean “covered or in contact with soil.”
The Final Rule establishing this definition stated the following: “The definition of ‘buried’
reflects the common corrosion control practice of treating any portion of pipe in contact
with the soil as if that portion were buried.” Controlling Corrosion on Hazardous Liquid and
Carbon Dioxide Pipelines, 66 Fed. Reg. 66995 (Dec. 27, 2001) (emphasis added).
At issue in this instance are five breakout tanks constructed in 2002 and 2008 with a 4-
inch fiber mesh concrete pad, 80 mil HDPE liner (sloped to provide drainage to monitoring
well), and sealed ring wall. The design of the tanks considered corrosion control in accordance
with API Standards 651 and 653. This design was confirmed by William Johns, P.E., who
reviewed the design of Chemoil’s tanks and concluded the following:
1 Pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 195.563(a), cathodic protection is only required for a “buried or submerged pipeline”, and
the term “pipeline” expressly includes breakout tanks. See 49 C.F.R. § 195.2.695 Town Center Drive, 14th Floor, Costa Mesa, California 92626 Telephone: 714.371.2500 Fax: 714.371.2550
Albany | Boston | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Orange County | Palo Alto | Sacramento | San Francisco | Washington, D.C.

<<<PAGE 5>>>

Mr. John A. Gale
October 23, 2020
Page 2
At the time of construction of all the subject tanks, there was a
general trend, particularly in the local California tank storage
industry, to provide built-in secondary containment and leak
detection into the foundation of new tanks. The Chemoil tanks
were likewise constructed with a concrete subfloor and
impermeable liner (See attached drawing SK-1 which depicts the
key features of the design). . . All the tank foundations are
basically the same. Key features include steel reinforced concrete
ringwall and sump foundation, 80 mil HDPE liners, 4" fiber
reinforced concrete slab deck, cone down to sump, leak detection
pipe and inspection well, and double wall sump. . . The entire
tank footprint is separated from the subsoil by the liner, 4"
deck and the Reinforced Ringwall and sump foundation.
See Exhibit A, “Engineer’s Opinion Foundation – Cathodic Protection Design
Conformance of Breakout Tanks” (W. Johns, P.E., 2020) (emphasis added).
Chemoil requests an interpretation from PHMSA clarifying that where, as here, the tank
footprint is not in contact with soil, such tanks do not meet the definition of “buried” under 49
C.F.R. § 195.553, and therefore do not require cathodic protection under 49 C.F.R. 195.563(a).
Please contact me at (714) 371-2538 or mwilliamson@manatt.com with any questions
about this request for written interpretation. We look forward to receiving further guidance on
this issue.
Sincerely,
Matt Williamson
326969247.2

<<<PAGE 6>>>

Exhibit A

<<<PAGE 7>>>

CHEMOIL TERMINALS
CARSON, CALIFORNIA
@ CHEMOIL
C-038292
Exp 331-21
....
CIVIL
Prepared by
William R. Johns, P.E.
California Civil Engineer
C038292
Utility Coordinating, Inc.
(714) 462-8413
UTILICOOR
UTILITY COORDINATING, INC

<<<PAGE 8>>>

This report identifies and clarifies the design features of the tanks. This report also
discusses why the tank designs provide protection against shell bottom corrosion.
Reference Documents
Cited Reference Documents include the following:
OSFM Notice of Probable Violations dated July 3, 2019
Chemoil Response to OSFM Notice of Probable Violation dated August 30, 2019
OSCM Issuance of Final Order dated December 13, 2019
OSFM Decision on Petition for Reconsideration dated April 13, 2020
Original Construction Drawings (Tank & Refinery Services Co. -TARSCO) dated
circa 2002 and 2007
•
API 653 Inspection Report Tank 100006 dated September 20, 2019
API 653 Inspection Report Tank 50006 dated June 25, 2020
•
Farwest Letter
Relevant Codes and Standards
Based on the construction dates of the subject tanks, the following codes, standards,
and industrial practices are applicable:
• 49 CFR Parts 195.563 and 195.565
API 650, Welded Tanks for Oil Storage (10*h and 11" Editions)
• API 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction (2nd and 3rd
Edition)
• API 651, Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks (3rd
Edition)
OCFM Violation Claim - EN 19-014 and Discussion
In the Final Order (Docket CA-2019013), the OSFM found that Chemoil violated
49CFR195.563(a) by failing to provide an effective cathodic protection (CP) system to
protect the soil side of the tank floor (for the nine (9) breakout tanks) in accordance
with 49 CFR Part 195.595.
As presented in their letter dated August 30, 2019 and included as an Exhibit in the

<<<PAGE 9>>>

(CP) system because the tank bottoms are not on contact with the soil and the tank
design is such that it should prevent the creation of a corrosion cell.
Tank Construction and Corrosion Protection System
Tank Foundation - At the time of construction of all the subject tanks, there was a
general trend, particularly in the local California tank storage industry, to provide built-
in secondary containment and leak detection into the foundation of new tanks. The
Chemoil tanks were likewise constructed with a concrete subfloor and impermeable
liner (See attached drawing SK-1 which depicts the key features of the design). The
Chemoil foundations were built, accordingly, and they conformed to the requirements
of API-650 Appendix I (Undertank Leak Detection and Subgrade Protection) and API 651
5.3. API 651 states "A properly designed concrete tank cushion constructed on a stable,
properly prepared subsoil may be effective in eliminating intrusion of groundwater, soil-
side corrosion, and the need for cathodic protection".
The drawings for the subject tanks were reviewed for conformity to API standards and
for applicability to incorporate additional CP measures. The findings are as follow:
All the tank foundations are basically the same. Key features include steel reinforced
concrete ringwall and sump foundation, 80 mil HDPE liners, 4" fiber reinforced concrete
slab deck, cone down to sump, leak detection pipe and inspection well, and double wall
sump.
Details for the subgrade foundation are not provided, however, since there is no
indication of tank subsidence, it can be concluded that the foundation preparation was
appropriate. The 80 mil liner was installed on a sand protection bed and details show
proper connection to the preconstructed ringwall and sump foundation.
The 4" thick fibermesh concrete mat was placed on top of the HDPE Liner using 3,000
psi concrete. Fibermesh is a fiberglass reinforcement that is mixed into the concrete and
provided tensile strength for the concrete that prevents (temperature and shrinkage)
cracking. The entire tank footprint is separated from the subsoil by the liner, 4" deck
and the Reinforced Ringwall and sump foundation. There is no path for water or
electrical current to travel from the soil to the tank To prevent the introduction of
water with possible soil particulates from entering the space between the impermeable

<<<PAGE 10>>>

preventing the tank bottom from becoming an anode. Following the guidance of API
651, the foundation designs had no additional CP systems. Additionally, API 651 states
that "cathodic protection most likely will not help reduce any corrosion that might
occur", therefore, installation of post-construction retrofit CP systems are not practical
for "Continuous Concrete Cushion" foundations.
Secondary Containment/Leak Detection -The tank foundations are designed to prevent
the escape of product into the ground and provide indication of a leak in the primary
floor of the tank. The secondary containment barrier is a combination of the concrete
slab and impermeable liner. The concrete layer is designed to contain and direct a leak
from the tank to the double bottomed sump. The concrete has grooves leading to the
sump. From the sump, a leak detection pipe flows down to a monitoring well outside of
the tank shell. The well can be monitored for liquid or vapors to determine the
presence or absence of leaked product.
Present Tank Condition and Cathodic System Improvements
Present Tank Condition -Two of the tanks, 100006 and 50006 have had recent API 653
Open Tank Inspections performed. The findings of the reports by DJA Inspection
indicate the corrosion of the tank bottoms after 17 years and 12 years of service. The
results are useful for identifying maintenance shortcomings and successes.
Tank 100006 Findings and Results - The bottom of Tank 100006 had significant pitting
and bottom side corrosion. Based on the foundation design, the corrosion was beyond
expectations. Further investigation indicated that the Tank dike area was often used
for stormwater containment thereby allowing water to rise above the tank
ringwall/chime. This practice allowed muddy water to fill the gap between the
concrete slab and the tank bottom resulting in limited electrolysis.
As prevention to this corrosion, the following policy changes are required.
• Install and maintain a flexible sealant between the tank chime and the concrete
ringwall
• Do not allow storm water to exceed the height of the ringwall at any time.
Tank 50006 Findings and Results - The bottom of Tank 50006 had virtually no bottom
side corrosion. Based on the foundation design, this was expected

<<<PAGE 11>>>

acceptable standards and industry practices. The foundation designs were in excess of
the basic requirements, and the use of the secondary containment/continuous
concrete slab were a proactive measure to limit deterioration of the tank bottoms and
prevent releases. The claim that Chemoil failed to provide an effective cathodic
protection (CP) system to protect the soil side of the tank floor (for the nine (9)
breakout tanks in accordance with 49CFR195.595 is not valid for continuous concrete
foundation tanks with properly designed features. Installation of retrofitted CP
systems are not necessary and would be ineffective. It is recommended that Chemoil
adheres closely with the requirements of API 653 and provide the recommended
maintenance policies to prevent future flooding of the tank dike areas and proper
maintenance of the ring wall and seal.
Date
1/24/20
Engineer's Signature
About the Engineer
William Johns is a practicing Engineer in the State of California. He has over 40 years of experience in design, construction,
and management of Civil projects with an emphasis on petroleum pipelines, tankage, and transportation systems. Mr. Johns
holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a licensed Civil Engineer in California.
Mr. Johns has managed tank construction and repair projects for several oil companies throughout the southwest United
States. Projects include double bottoms, drain-dry sumps, earthquake (elephant footing) repairs, and construction of 21 new
tanks at the (KMEP) GATX Terminal. Additional related coursework and certification includes:
API 650 Course
• API 653 Course and updates
• TEAM (Formerly Tank Consultants, Inc.) Tank Design and Inspection
• Numerous ILTA (Independent Liquid Terminals Association) Training Courses

<<<PAGE 12>>>

1'
-3"
88'
-6" I.D. (44'
-3" I.S. RAD.)
89'
-0 3/4" DIA. BOLT CIRCLE (44'
-6 3/8" RAIDUS)
3 1/4"
1'
-1 3/4"
1'
-1 3/8"
3/4"
1'
-0 5/8"
1'
-1 3/4"
1'
-1 3/8"
1'
-0 5/8"
3/8"
3/4" MIN.
CHAMFER
3" CLR.
DET. A
12
3/8
SLOPE DOWN TO CTR.
TANK BOTTOM
2
4" THK. 3000 PSI
FIBERMESH
REINFORCED
CONCRETE MAT
(WITH TELL-TALE
GROOVES)
Center Column along wit
Shell holds the entire Roof
Load. Load is ultimately
transferred to Reinforced
Concrete Foundation
installed at same time as
Sump
15"
CENTER COLUMN
3
with
Roof
ly
DUAL SUMPS
ed
SEE DRAWING
B3633-T6-03a
3/4"
as
DUAL SUMPS
SEE DRAWING
B3633-T6-03a
OUTSIDE/SECONDARY SHELL INSIDE - CONTAINS PRODUCT
5
Fits Inside of Secondary
2
3
7
7
6
4
1
3. SITE PREP, SUB-GRADE, & BACK FILL COMPACTION PER OWNER'S SPEC.
3'
-2 1/2"O.S. RAD.
3'
-1
3'
-5" O.S. RAD
3'
-1 3/8" I.S. RAD.
4. FOUNDATION, BAR BENDING & SPICES PER ACI 318 CODE.
2'
-9"I.S. RAD.
8
8
8
7
BITUMASTIC COAT BOTH SUMPS
ON THEIR EXTERNAL SURFACES
PER NOTE 3.
7
BITUMASTIC COAT BOTH SUMPS
10
ON THEIR EXTERNAL SURFACES
PER NOTE 3.
7'
-4"Ø
6'
-5" Ø
6'
-3 1/2" Ø
10
6'
-2 3/4" Ø
7'
-4"Ø
5'
-6 3/4" Ø
5'
-6" Ø
6'
-5" Ø
4
6'
-3 1/2" Ø
6'
-2 3/4" Ø
1
2 3/4"
1/4 1/8
60˚
-4 5/8"
1'
2 3/4"
2
1/4 1/8
3
60˚
1
1/4
1/4
-3 5/8"
1'
-4 5/8"
1'
1/4
3/8"
-3 1/4"
1'
-3 5/8"
1'
1"
5 1/8"
3/8"
5 1/8"
3/8"
1/4
5'
-6 3/4" Ø
5'
-6" Ø
3/8"
TACK
WELD
-3 1/4"
1'
TACK
WELD
9
7
1/4
1/4 1/8
60˚
R
1/4 TYP.
7
1/4 1/8
60˚
6
8
2
3
SECONDARY SUMP
SECONDARY SUMP
1/4
1/4
1"
3 1/2"Ø HOLE FOR
1/4
2
3" SOCKET COUPLING
1/4 TYP.
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
FOR 2" HDPE DRAIN
PIPE. SEE INSTALLATION
3 1/2"Ø HOLE FOR
DETAILS ON DWG. B3633-T6-03a & b.
5
6
9 7
8
5'
-7 1/2" Ø
5
PRIMARY SUMP
5'
-7 1/2" Ø
2
3" SOCKET COUPLING
FOR 2" HDPE DRAIN
PIPE. SEE INSTALLATION
PRIMARY SUMP
DETAILS ON DWG. B3633-T6-03a & b.
SUMP CONSTRUCTION
DUAL SUMPS
SEE DRAWING
B3633-T6-03a
3/8"
1/4
3 1/4"
1/4
3/8"
4"
R 1 1/2"
3/8"
8
TYP
3/16
6 REQ'D.
EQ. SPACED ON
2'
-10 15/16" ON ARC
GRIND ALL
EDGES & CORNERS
SMOOTHLY
SUMP CONSTRUCTION
1
2'
-6"
3" CLR.
80 MIL HDPE
MOISTURE BARRIER
4" THK. CLEAN SAND
(IF NEEDED FOR PROPER
LINER INSTALLATION)
1
COMPACT SUB-GRADE
PER OWNER'S SPEC
#4 TIES @ 12" C.C.
10 #7 CONT. HOOPS
TOP AND SIDES
LEAK DETECTION PIPE
TO OBSERVATION WELL
SEE B3633-T6-03b
2'
-7"
1
13 #4, A615-60 BARS
BOTH WAYS
TYP. TOP & BOTTOM
(EQUALLY SPACED)
7 #8 CONT. HOOPS (BOTTOM)
3" CLR. 3" CLR.
3'
-9"
3" CLR. TYP.
83'
-6" I.D. (41'
-9" INS. RAD.)
3" CLR. TYP.
9'
-0" SQUARE
REVISED DRAW
03-2
DATE:______
-
_
SUBMITTAL #_
LIMITS OF CONCRETE
91'
-0" O.D. (45'
-6" O.S. RAD.)
CHEM
P.O. NUMB
IMPERMEABLE LINER LIMITS
UM
CONSTRUC
ING - DESTROY ALL PREV
CONSTRUCTION PHASING
- DESTROY ALL PREVIOUS ISSU
2-07
_____________
1 COMPLETED SUM
22-07
SECONDARY SHE
______________
1 COMPLETED SUMP (INSIDE AND
INPLACE AFTER C
SECONDARY SHELLS) ARE CAST
PREPARATION. R
INPLACE AFTER COMPLETION OF SOIL
CONSTRUCTED A
PREPARATION. RING WALL IS
CONSTRUCTED AT SAME TIME.
03-2
________ DATE:______
PRODUCT ZONE
FLEXIBLE
SEALANT
SECONDARY CONTAINED ZONE
CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION
03-20-07
________ DATE:_____________
OIL TERMINALS C
MB
2 AFTER COMPLE
CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION
RINGWALL, THE
BER OIL TERMINALS CORP
UM
2 AFTER COMPLETION OF SUMP AND
JOB N
INSTALLED ON S
RINGWALL, THE HDPE LINER IS
MBER JOB CONSTRUCTION
NUMBER
INSTALLED ON SAND BED.
REINFORCED P
CONSTRUCTION OF 4" FIBER
REINFORCED PAD IS THEN PLACED
3
3
TANK BOTTOM
TANK BOTTOM AND CENTER COLUMN
IS CONSTRUCTED ON FINISHED SLAB
FOUNDATION
CONCRETE
SOIL - FOUNDATION INTERFACE
(SOIL ISOLATED BY HDPE AND CONCRETE)
DET. A
FLOOR -RINGWALL SEALANT
1
TANK FOUNDATION EVALUATION
CHEMOIL CARSON
TERMINAL
7/6/20
SCALE __________________ DATE __________
SCALE
DRAWING No.
DR. ______ CH. DR. APP
WRJ WRJ
__________
__________
SHT. REV.
SK-01

<<<PAGE 13>>>

additional (non-breakout) tank at the Chemoil Carson Facility. The Open Tank inspections had
full MFE (Magnetic Flux Exclusion) surveys performed on each tank bottom to determine
metal loss.
In addition to the API 653 inspections of Tanks 100006 and 50006 cited in the Engineer's
Opinion Report, the following tanks were inspected in accordance with API 653.
• Tank 20003, July 2020
• Tank 20002, August 2020
• Tank 100005, September 2020
• Tank 50005, October 2020
DJA Inspection performed the tank inspections and prepared the reports. The bottoms of Tanks
100005, 50005, 50006, 20003, and 20002 were found to have virtually no bottom side
corrosion. Each DJA Inspection reports stated "The MFE scan found no indications of soil side
corrosion". The results of these additional inspections confirm that the concrete base with an
impermeable liner underneath resists underside corrosion and no additional cathodic
protection is required.
WiRQ
Date
October 22, 2020
Engineer's Signature
SATE OF CALFORILIA
C!V!!.
10-22-20
O CHEMOIL
UTILICOOR
UTILITY COORDINATING, INC

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/pipeline/interpretations/76156/chemoil-pi-20-0014-01-10-2022-part-195553.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `b418692dd8d09e36aaab549cb1d57723b7fc46d5dda3d3a23d828fa90049b1dc`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T12:14:44.068Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-pi-20-0014`

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