Oil Storage Tank Abandonment FAQs
Q&A on Oil Tank Abandonment Procedures & Regulations

FAQs about how to abandon use of an oil storage tank, either a buried tank or an above-ground oil storage tank.

This article series explains how to properly "abandon" or close an underground petroleum storage tank (UST) in place, that is, without having to excavate and remove it.

FAQs on Oil Tank Abandonment Laws Regulations

These questions & answers about the procedure for abandoning an un-used heating oil storage tank were posted originally

at OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE - be sure to review the advice in that article.

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On 2019-01-26 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.

On 2019-01-25 by frank

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 2018-11-19 by (mod) - sulphur odor at old oil tank

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

On 2018-11-19 by Jesse

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 2018-06-27 by (mod) - how long does fuel oil remain viable in an above ground tank

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

On 2018-06-25 by amos

how long does fuel oil remain viable in an above ground tank

On 2017-05-02 by Susan

above ground under enclosed porch, two old oil tanks. trying to buy home. What does the seller need to do

On 2017-03-05 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.

See https://inspectapedia.com/oiltanks/Oil_Tank_Regulations.php where there are also contact information listings.

On 2017-03-04 by Concerned Neighbor

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 2016-02-24 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.

On 2016-02-24 by dan doherty - 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 2015-06-19 y Anonymous

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 2015-05-27 by long island oil tank abandonment

Thanks for describing in such a great detail of Oil Tank Abandonment Procedure, will look forward for more post like this.

On 2015-05-19 by (mod) - oil tank was abandoned by the previous owner. The certificate is lost

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.

On 2015-05-18 by Dana

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?

Question: how to obtain proof of oil tank abandonment

(Aug 10, 2014) jerry said:

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?

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.

Question: do I have to remove an abandoned oil storage tank when I sell my house?

(Oct 3, 2014) edmundo nunes said:
in1989 the oil tank was abanded under ground the top was cutered the interior was cleaned and filled with sand if I sele the house do I have to remove the tank?

Reply:

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.

Question: 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.

Question: is the soil likely to be contaminated under an oil tank that tested OK?

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

...

Continue reading at OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see

Or see these

Oil Tank Abandonment Procedure Articles

• OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE
  • ABANDONING OIL TANKS, EPA Details
  • AVOIDING CAVE-INs at OUTDOOR OIL TANKS
  • INDOOR OIL TANK ABANDONMENT
  • OIL TANK ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS
  • OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID
  • REMOVING OLD FUEL FROM OIL TANK

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OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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