Government and Industry experts acknowledge the primary source of earth and water table contamination incidents which occur at retail, commercial and municipal fueling facilities generate from leaks in the pressurized underground (u.g.) piping and fittings, which connect the u.g. fuel storage vessel(s) to the fuel dispensers.

Over the last three decades, governing authorities and industry leaders have become more environmentally conscious and aware of the contamination emanating from these u.g. piping networks, therefore there has been a major effort and investment by government and industry to improve the related technology and installation techniques.  A large and costly infrastructure now exists, dedicated to the continuous inspection, enforcement improvement, maintenance and restoration of these u.g. pressurized piping networks.  The current state of the art in u.g. piping networks has lead to a reduction in major environmental contamination incidents, however these incidents still occur and continue to be caused primarily by failures in some aspect of these u.g. piping networks. This continued concern is evidenced by recent disclosures of the effects of minute amounts of certain fuel additives, such as MTBE, in our water resources.  MTBE in particular is an additive that was introduced into the fuel subsequent to the time most of the improvements to the u.g. pipe/fittings were introduced into governing regulations, manufacturing technologies and installation practices.  Albeit environmental regulations are more stringent, technology and installation practices much improved, the lack of integrity of these u.g. piping networks remains a primary source of ground water contamination and a difficult problem to resolve with fail safe surety.

The PetroFirst design concept was created by a fully experienced industry group of professional engineers, contractors and manufacturers with a mission to develop a fresh approach to prevent the escape of hydrocarbon fuels from u.g. pipe and fitting networks at fuel dispensing sites in the USA and Foreign venues.  The group approached the mission with a simple philosophy.  Use proven reliable and available technology revisited to identify and eliminate the design and/or installation complexities that eventually result in a network failure over the useful life of the facility.  Based on statistical data available in the industry, the group confirmed the u.g. pressurized piping network and its various connection points to be the primary source of leaks and contamination incidents.  Storage vessels, structurally designed and fabricated of steel with a non-corrosive secondary containment outer shell, were recognized by the group as one component of the conventional network with an established long term integrity and not a current source of u.g. leaks at fueling facilities. 

The consensus of the group was to combine the u.g. piping network with the proven integrity of the storage vessel in one unit. 

The group of professionals then designed a unique storage vessel which encapsulates the pressurized piping network, and other components of the facility in one less complex, more easily installed integrated unit. This unique integrated design inclusive of the pressurized piping network is fabricated in quality controlled storage vessel factory environments throughout the USA and Foreign venues using proven standards for manufacture and testing including Underwriters Laboratory (UL) welding standards #58, and #1746 corrosion protection standards.  In addition to UL certification the design has been further reviewed and accepted by several Major Oil Company engineering organizations and their retained third party professional engineering consultants.

The unitized facility particularly in the two, three and four dispenser configurations are generally less costly than conventional installations and the total cost of the asset over its useful life is positively favorable, particularly when the typical costs of environmental incidents resulting in contamination and clean-up liability are considered in the financial analysis.  The concept clearly reduces initial on site installation time and complexity, personnel training, quality control supervision and maintenance over the life of the facility. The concept is generally received positively and gains acceptance by governing environmental authorities in various State, County and Local venues when presented professionally during the permit acquisition process of a proposed project.

Currently the PetroFirst integrated unit has been installed at more than #150 projects sites in the USA and Foreign venues by various Major Oil/Independent fuel marketers, more projects are currently under construction and additional projects are in various stages of development. The PetroFirst product provides a cost effective alternative to the conventional fuel facility design, particularly when real estate is limited and clearly provides the stated benefits of reduced complexity, reduced real estate, reduced design/ construction time, reduced installation costs, virtual elimination of environmental/maintenance liabilities and in time could minimize the need for governmental intervention.

The most recent California UST Law 2004 mandates “positive” continuous 24 hr/7 day monitoring of the storage vessel, piping network, and all components that may contain hazardous substances. Compliance with this law utilizing the conventional pressurized u.g. piping networks will be extremely difficult, at best, and will certainly require major technology improvements and additional costs.  The PetroFirst integrated design can achieve the requirements of the new law with only minor modification.  California UST regulations have historically set the standards for the USA and many international venues as well.