Oil Storage Tank Abandonment FAQs

Q&A on Oil Tank Abandonment Procedures & Regulations

Abandoned / Removed Oil Tank Cleaning Requirement FAQs

Are oil tank wipe tests required when an abandoned oil tank has been cleaned?

Is it common for oil/fuel storage tanks to have a wipe sample applied post cleaning?

Or some kind of sampling to prove the inside of the tank is clean? On 2020-03-06 by bob

Explanation by (mod) - an oil tank interior is cleaned when it's abandoned, not wipe tested

Not wipe tests, that I've seen, Bob; the cleaning is intended to remove oil that is likely to be sufficient in quantity as to possibly leak into the environment. A slight oil film on the steel in the tank wouldn't be an issue.

But what WOULD be an issue is an incompletely-cleaned oil tank.

In a companion article OIL TANK REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

you'll see photos of how our oil tank replacement company cut open the oil tank to permit removal of decades of oil sludge that cannot be removed simply by pumping.

Depending on the country and state or province where you live, your department of environmental protection will have their own specific rules for what's required.

Requirement for Certifying an old oil tank abandonment in Yonkers, New York?

My oil storage tank was abandoned twenty years ago, I am now being asked to file for a conversion permit with a tank inspection.I was issued a new c of o in 2007 and have applied and received a boiler permits each year since.

It seems to me that this is just clerical formality and that after twenty years it shouldn't require this procedure. the property is located in yonkers new york, is there such thing as amnesty or otherwise after twenty years of not being used? On 2020-02-19 by Anonymous

Answer by (mod) - oil tank was abandoned 20 years ago, now what?

Anon

There is no amnesty unless you're Michael Milken or another big time white collar criminal.

The bottom line is that

IF your oil tank was properly-abandoned then at the time some qualified expert tested and inspected and documented that

1. the tank had not leaked into the surrounding soil

2. the tank has been properly-abandoned: emptied, cleaned, and filled with sand or similar material

If those steps were never done, then the risk is a very very expensive oil tank leak that could need to be cleaned-up.

If such a leak has occurred, in New York the leak must be reported to the NYS DEC within 24 hours.

So if you have no documentation that the work was done properly twenty years ago you need to have that done now.

Chemical or Cleaner Smell at "Abandoned" Oil Tank FAQs

Pine Smell in Basement, then an Oil Leak from "Abandoned" oil tank in our basement

We have an old oil tank in our basement. We bought the house a year ago and was told that the tank was empty because everything was switched over to gas...

About 3 nights ago oil leaked out of the tank in the basement and made the whole house smell horriable ( we have no idea where it came from because the tank it self was not wet anywhere and we didn’t see anything dripping out)

Now that we aired out the house, I keep smelling a sweet pine sol kind of smell mixed with the oil. Does anyone know what this could be?

The tank isn’t hooked up to a furnance or anything anymore it’s just there. Just a little nervous as I have 2 small children in the house. On 2018-08-30 1 by Kt

by (mod) -

Perhaps someone used a deodorant or a solvent was poured into the tank itself. If the tank is indoors it's most-likely not sitting on the basement floor - so an examination of the floor area around the tank ought to show if the leak is from that container.

An "empty" oil tank won't really be completely empty except when brand new before the first oil delivery, as even an effort to pump out the tank's contents is likely to leave some sludge and crud on the tank bottom.

Later, when such an abandoned tank is left in place it can leak out of the tank itself through a rust perforation, at a leaky tank bottom fitting, or out of leaky piping that was left in place.

Find the leak, clean it up, and if it's the tank, you would either patch/seal the tank leak from its exterior or have the tank removed.

If you find that the tank actually had an actual volume of fuel in it then you didn't have an adequate inspection or testing when you bought the home. Sorry.

Be sure to read the procedures and guidelines at

• OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE
• OIL TANK ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS
• REMOVING OLD FUEL FROM OIL TANK

Odors & Smells at Abandoned Oil Tanks FAQs

Hydrogen Sulfide Smells - Sulfur smells Near Abandoned Oil Tank

Recently moved into a house that has an abandoned above ground heating oil tank, fuel source was changed to LP at some point but the tank was left outside.

Any time i walk by it there is an overwhelming hydogen sulfide smell that is only present within 3 ft or so of the tank. im sure the solution is to have the tank hauled off but im curious why this smell would be occuring On 2018-11-19 by Jesse

by (mod) - sulphur odor at old oil tank

Possibly bacterial contamination or sewer gas from a different source that you haven't spotted.

For example, a nearly-empty aboveground oil tank may accumulate condensation and moisture inside that along with bacteria and other contaminants, begins to smell.

Oil Tank Abandonment Documentation FAQs

Get a copy of the abandonment report for any oil tanks left at property that you buy

Just a note for future visitors who have the same question Dana had.

When we bought our house we got a copy of the report from the company that had cleaned, tested, "backfilled with an inert material," and abandoned an old underground oil tank.

The report itself was addressed to our town's fire marshal.

So, if you're trying to track down a missing report without success, couldn't hurt to consult your local fire marshal to ask whether there's a copy on file there (though it does seem other offices in town hall would be more likely to be interested in such documentation).
Frank - On 2019-01-25 by frank

by (mod) - check with local officials for reports of oil tank abandonment

Frank

Thank you for the suggestion. It will help other readers. I'll be sure to keep it with the article.

Oil tank was abandoned by the previous owner. The certificate is lost

I have a house for sale and the oil tank was abandoned by the previous owner. The certificate is lost so I do I go about finding proof it was done? On 2015-05-18 by Dana

Reply by (mod) -

Dana

I am guessing that you cannot find the former owner nor his or her attorney who'd have handled the property sale. Surely you didn't buy a home without that documentation or without an attorney or inspector advising that you'd need it.

"Proof" may be a bit subjective or elusive a term for the situation you describe. If you cannot find the company who performed the test by calling local oil tank or leak or environmental testing firms then an alternative is to have the oil tank inspected and if necessary soil-tests performed.

How can I obtain proof of proper oil tank abandonment

1. what documents are required to prove you have properly decommissioned a # 6, 10,000 gallon oil tank.

2. What do you get back from the govt agency that you can show that this is a done.

3. after it is cleaned, do you have to test it ?

4. What is the actual process? (Aug 10, 2014) jerry said:

Reply:

Jerry,

You are most likely asking about a commercial oil storage tank not a residential one - its size and use as well the state or province where it is located determine the precise regulations that apply. I'd start by contacting your local department of environmental conservation or DEP, and your building department. Typically if a tank has not leaked, it is emptied and might be permitted to remain in place.

Oil Left in "Abandoned" Oil Tanks

How do I get rid of the old heating oil and oil tank?

I recently switched to gas a few weeks ago and still have an oilt tank 1/2 filled with oil.

How do I dispose of the oil and the tank On 2012-12-06 by jack schnur

Answer by (mod) -

Jack

Start with your local oil company and get a price on having the tank emptied. There are lots of oil storage tank removal companies to choose among.

Be sure to obtain & keep documentation on the removal and on oil leak or spill evidence absent or present.

See

• REMOVING OLD FUEL FROM OIL TANK

How long does heating oil in an abandoned above ground tank remain usable?

How long does fuel oil remain viable in an above ground tank? On 2018-06-25 by amos

by (mod) -

Amos

I'm not at a computer to give you the link but if you search this website using the search box just above you can find our article on

HEATING OIL SHELF LIFE

Watch out: when an oil tank is abandoned it should be emptied of oil. The risk of leaving oil in place is, in addition to violation of environmental laws where you live, the possibility of a very expensive oil leak latter-on.

When we've abandoned an oil tank we make sure that all the usable oil is removed and the remaining sludge is removed and disposed of according to local laws.

Leaks at Abandoned Oil Tank FAQs

What do I do about Evidence that an Old Abandoned Oil Tank at my House has Leaked?

We moved into an old house 2 years ago and converted our heat source. We are removing an empty above-ground oil tank in the basement. It's empty except for some sludge.

I was vacuuming under it recently and cleaned out some small gravel under the tank

The gravel had been covering what appears to be a hole in the slab under the tank.

Maybe the original slab was poured around the old tank and they never got to fixing it when they put the new tank in?

Anyway, using the shop vac, I dug down into the hole a little and sucked up what seems to be oil-soaked dirt. I'm worried that this could turn into a 5 figure nightmare.

Should I just leave the tank were it is and not touch it or call a contractor to take a look at it? On 2021-04-15 by Anon

Answer by (mod) - gravel had been covering what appears to be a hole in the slab under the oil tank

@Anon, I can appreciate wanting to avoid a nightmare but in fact nevertheless it's better for you to resolve this question now rather than later, for example if you were trying to sell your house and discovered you couldn't before resolving it then.

In most states and provinces is required by law that age where leak is reported to the department of environmental protection or conservation and of course it be cleaned up. That doesn't mean that it's a five figure nightmare.

At the very least she would have a professional test the soil in that hole to see whether it needs to be removed.

You can raise or lower your own level of concern by looking carefully at the oil tank itself to see if there is evidence that it has leaked such as what oil spots on the concrete around the pool or the concrete is missing or gummy oily residue on the tank bottom.

by Anon - Are Tank Removal services required to test the soil when removing the tank?

thank you very much.

Are Tank Removal services required to test the soil when removing the tank?

Is that routine and required by the state in every instance, or just where there is visual evidence of a potential issue - such as a leaking tank (our tank isn't leaking) or signs that a previous tank, perhaps decades old, may have leaked (which may be the case for us.) As you said, it's hard to know until a soil test is performed. I will appreciate any headlights you can provide.

by (mod) - Oil tank leak & soil contamination testing is required if there is evidence of a leak

@Anon,

I don't know what laws pertaining to you because I don't know where you're located, country, city, but frequently it's the case the testing is not required unless there's evidence of a leak.

Example of evidence of a leak would be discovering that an oil tank is visibly damaged or perforated or of course that there is visible obvious heating oil spillage.

So if an oil tank removal company comes to a site to remove an existing tag and they could not find obvious evidence that it has already leaked, depending on what oil tank environmental law applies in that area, there may be no soil testing performed.

If the hole are you describeing is actually underneath an existing oil tank, it would be pretty unusual for the hole to have been made after the tank was installed since access to that area would be quite difficult. I suppose it's possible, as I haven't seen any photos of your situation.

It also should be quite easy to see whether the hole is one that was left during the original pour of the floor versus one that was cut into the floor later simply by careful examination of the surrounding concrete. It's quite obvious to see marks of an impact hammer or drill for example.

It's perfectly plausible if the garage was added or the slab was added to the concrete was poured around the tank. If that's the case you will be able to recognize the edges of a pour as quite different in appearance than edges of a chopped or drilled hole in concrete.

by Anon

thanks very much for the detailed response. It really helps us to understand how to proceed with more confidence!

Old Oil Tanks Abandoned and Leaking Aboveground at my Neighbour's Yard

I have a Neighbor whose daughters boyfriend lives with her parks his commerical work truck in our residential parking area, it's an EVIORNMENTAL MAINTENANCE Services company located in PA.

I find it ironic that there are 2 old oil tanks sitting on their sides and are essentially leaking home heating oil into the grass for which is a greenbelt and that it's Saturday so I'm assuming it will continue to leak or until he returns to work on Monday?

What should I do, we are not on speaking terms with this neighbor but this is a common area where the neighborhood kids play, people walk their animals etc...he knows it's leaking because he placed another substance over the spill on the tire and under the truck?

I've notified our town manager but I'm afraid it will CONTINUE to spill and he will try to cover it up? Who can I call for immediate inspection? On 2017-03-04 by Concerned Neighbor

Reply by (mod) -

Concerned, in most states - you don't say where you're located - an oil storage tank must be, by law, reported within 24 hours to your state department of environmental conservation.

Contact your state or local DEC or DEP.

See OIL TANK LEAK & ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS - home where there are also contact information listings.

Spill or Leak Tests at Sites of Abandoned Oil Tanks - FAQs

Is an environmental site assessment if the tank passed a tank tightness test for abandoned oil tank?

When you abandon a UST are you required to do a environmental site assessment if the tank passed a tank tightness test? On 2019-10-24 1 by MHuber2066@aol.com

Answer - by (mod) - it depends

MHuber

Typically the tank is emptie, cleaned, and filled with sand. It's not tightness tested, but, ...

It depends ... on the country and city where you live and their UST abandonment regulations AND on just how old your tank tightness test is.

If the tank was tested sufficiently-recently you're probably fine.

Abandoned Oil Tank Fill Material FAQs

What do I use to fill an abandoned a buried oil tank?

what is a acceptable fill for a oil tank left in the ground On 2013-03-02 by marty

Answer by (mod)

Clean sand, Marty

OK to fill an underground oil tank with sand rather than dig it up?

Can you fill an underground abandoned oil tank with sand rather than excavate? (Apr 24, 2015) Anonymous said:

Reply:

In most jurisdictions (check with your local DEP EPA etc) you are permitted to abandon an unused, buried oil tank in place provided that it is emptied (and some jurisdictions may require cleaning), and that it has not leaked.

Testing may be required to assure that there was no oil leakage.

If the tank leaked it will probably have to be excavated to permit removal of contaminated soils.

If the tank and its fittings have not leaked into the surrounding soil, in many jurisdictions you can leave it in place, opened, cleaned, and filled with an appropriate filler such as clean sand.

Be sure to keep documentation showing that an oil storage tank was properly tested and abandoned so as to avoid a possible property re-sale issue.

Abandoned Oil Tank Piping Removal FAQs

Oil tank removal company should remove the piping or at least some of it

As for removing the piping, it is with out a doubt the job of the tank removal company, if not removed at least drained cut below surface and filled with cement.If not it would pass an inpsection from your local building department (if required) I recommend removing all oil tanks unless there is a mitigating circumstance that impeads removal.

Any Home Buyer should have the seller remove the tank whether it was properly abandoned or not. I DO AGREE about taking soil samples from 4 spots surrounding the tank. Keep in mind proper drilling and sampling may be 1/2- 3/4 of the price to remove the tank.

FYI I am an environmental consultant and owner of a tank removal/installation company in Tarrytown NY.

When Selling your home "codes" may not be as important as pleasing potential buyers. If you were buying a house would you want to buy the one with an oil tank (underground or above) or the one without? On 2013-01-27 by Wayne

Oil Tank Abandonment Regulation FAQs

Are Abandoned Fiberglass Oil Tanks Also Regulated?

A person selling their house has "abandoned" their fuel tank but has no documentation that anything was done nor do they say they need any because the tank itself is fiberglass.

Are there different rules relating to the abandonment of fiberglass tanks? This tank is 500 galllons. On 2015-06-19 ny Anonymous

by (mod) - yes

A fiberglass oil tank may of course not be at risk of corrosion related leaks but the tank can still be damaged, broken, cracked, and thus leak as also it might leak at fittings.

Watch out: as a seller you can avoid legal issues and smooth the sale of your home by handling an oil tank correctly. As a buyer, you should do your own due diligence inspecting and testing.

How do I find the Codes or Laws for handling an abandoned oil tank at the property I'm selling? Who's responsible for it?

In selling my house, there is an abandoned 275 gal oil tank in basement that the new buyer is concerned about and has addressed that I take care of it, before closing.

The home inspector noted that it was there and should be removed. What are the regulations, or where do i find any code requirements that I am responsible for this? Is it even something that has to be addressed. Again code-wise or is it merely a negotiation in the sale like say a broken window? On 2012-10-23 by John

and from another reader

When switching from oil heat to gas heat, who is responsible for removing the tank filler and vent? The oil company or the gas company? Or do I have to hire a additonal contractor?

I've heard stories about unwanted oil deliveries. They are heart breaking. - On 2011-08-11 by Laura

Reply by mod:

We don't know your country and city of location, so we'll tell you, below, where to find the regulations that apply to you.

But in general, in most locations, the seller is responsible for conditions at the property they're selling. Just who pays for what is something to discuss with your lawyer, and realtor helping you negotiate the sale of your property.

See

• OIL TANK ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS

Laura this is such an annoying as well as heart breaking problem that I have responded at length above where I discuss the "peanut butter theory of construction" and give my own example of snafu - it happens even to professionals like me.

At this point, if neither contractor will remove the old piping and patch the wall holes, hire anyone, a plumber or handyman, to remove the old oil tank fill and vent pipe and in the interim, securely duct-tape the filler cap to the filler pipe.

What year did the city of New York require a certificate of abandonment for a buried non leaking oil tank.

In what year did the city of New York require a certificate of abandonment for a buried non leaking oil tank. On 2016-02-24 by dan doherty -

by (mod) - Article 17, Title 10 of the Environmental Conservation Law, Control of the Bulk Storage of Petroleum

Dan,

Checking with the NYS DEC, in 1983 The NY Legislature enacted Article 17, Title 10 of the Environmental Conservation Law, Control of the Bulk Storage of Petroleum, applies to underground and aboveground storage tanks.

For an authoritative answer see the NYSDEC website, or call the Bulk Storage Helpline at (518) 402-9543

A quick look shows "Aboveground Tank Deadline for Compliance Approaches Spr ‘89" perhaps suggesting 1989 was a compliance deadline as the law was enacted in 1983.

The NYS DEC also notes that

Certain underground storage tanks (USTs) storing petroleum or hazardous substances/chemicals are also subject to federal regulations (40 CFR Part 280) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

Moving to New York City oil tank regulations, chapter 34 of the Fire Code establishes requirements for Out-of-Service Storage Systems storage tanks (3 RCNY §3404-01. In that document I see the earliest (C) date of 2003, ... "based on the 2003 edition of the

International Fire Code published by the International Code Council, with amendments reflecting the unique character of the city, is hereby enacted " The 2008 Fire Code was enacted by Local Law No. 26 of 2008.

Selling a House or Property where an Oil Tank was Abandoned or Removed FAQs

Do I have to remove a properly-abandoned oil storage tank when I sell my house?

In 1989 the oil tank was abandoned under ground, the top was cut and the interior was cleaned and filled with sand. If I sell the house do I have to remove the tank? (Oct 3, 2014) edmundo nunes

Reply: no

Edmundo

If an oil storage tank has not leaked, was properly abandoned, and you have documentation describing those conditions, then I can't imagine who would demand that the tank be removed.

OK well I can imagine it but such a demand would not be reasonable.

But be sure that you have and provide all of the documentation of the tank's abandonment to your buyer.

 

Will a previously abandoned oil tank be a problem when I sell my property?

(Jan 25, 2015) Carl Kasprzyk said:
I have. Fuel tank under a lean too it was emptied and filled with sand 28 years ago. Is that going to be a problem if I sell the property

Reply:

Carl, if the fuel tank never leaked then I would not expect a significant issue at property resale. If you have no authoritative document proving that there was no leakage I'd expect a buyer to have some tests performed to be sure no cleanup is necessary.

An above-ground tank case should be easier and less costly to assess than if the tank were buried.

 

Buying a Property with an Abandoned Oil Tank FAQs

Is the soil likely to be contaminated under an oil tank that tested OK?

Home under contract in NJ, UST was abandoned in place in 2004, soil tested negative. 19 Feb 2015 Kathleen Hews said:

Tank is being removed next week and another soil test will be performed. Do you think there's possibility of soil contamination now?

Reply:

Kathleen, if the soil tested was examined at the proper location - at a depth of the bottom of the tank and close to the tank at the recommended locations, then that's about as good a check as you can do prior to removing the tank, and it's a reasonable guess that the tank hasn't leaked.

Naturally, if the tank is being removed, the removal company is legally required to report any oil spills or leaks that are apparent during that process.