The success of a third-party oil and gas recovery project is largely determined during the survey phase. The on-site survey addresses the question of "where does the plan come from": the layout of the gas station, the routing of pipelines, the power supply and explosion-proof zoning, and the business hours restrictions. Without visiting the site, it is impossible to obtain accurate information. If the survey is conducted thoroughly and the plan is tailored to reality, there will be less rework during the construction phase. If the survey is just a formality, any subsequent changes and disputes will all be remedial work, resulting in losses in both duration and cost.
What content should be collected during exploration
The survey checklist is divided into four sections: Process section - layout of the tank area, routing and interfaces of existing primary and secondary recovery pipelines, locations of oil unloading ports and breather valves; Electrical section - distribution capacity and backup circuits, explosion-proof zoning diagram, cable laying paths; Civil engineering section - site dimensions for equipment foundations, underground pipelines and obstacles, drainage conditions; Operation section - business hours, number of fuel dispensers and peak hours, approval process for hot work and power outages within the station. All four sections of information should be collected completely in one go to avoid secondary entry. The survey notice should list all the required drawings and documents for the station to prepare.
How to record on site
The records are made by "photos with annotations": panoramic photos are oriented, key parts are close-up with size annotations, and the direction of pipelines is traced on a plan sketch. Verbal information is confirmed on the spot - the historical transformation introduced by the station party is checked against the on-site traces, and any mismatched annotations are pending verification. The survey records are collated on the same day, taking advantage of clear memory to fill in omissions. If delayed for two days, details will be lost; the collated records are archived by station, and both scheme review and construction disclosure are based on this archive.
How to export the plan from the survey
| Exploration sector | Collection content | Output purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Process block | Tank farm layout pipeline interface | Recycling pipeline design |
| Electrical block | Capacity partition laying path | Power distribution and explosion-proof selection |
| Civil engineering block | Site size and obstacles | Foundation and layout diagram |
| Operational block | Approval process for business hours | Construction window arrangement |
| Recording method | Photo annotation sketch | Archives and basis for disclosure |
| Scheme output | Check the layout plan in three steps | Evaluation and quotation |
After the survey data comes back, we will follow a three-step output plan: first, conduct compliance verification - ensuring that equipment dimensions match the site, power capacity matches the load, and pipeline slope direction matches the low point, item by item; then, proceed with layout design - mapping equipment locations, foundations, and pipeline routing, and indicating avoidance relationships with existing facilities; finally, arrange the implementation plan - divide construction windows according to business hours, and reverse the approval cycle for power outages and hot work. Each key parameter in the plan can be traced back to the survey records, making it clear at a glance during review, and eliminating the need for construction teams to guess when entering the site.
Common omissions in exploration
There are three high-frequency omissions: First, underground obstacles - old pipelines and abandoned foundations are not on the drawings and are only discovered during excavation upon entry, which affects both the construction period and costs; second, operational interference during peak hours - oil unloading and equipment commissioning conflict, and peak-shift arrangements should be reserved in the plan; third, hidden conditions of existing equipment - the actual slope and tightness of secondary recovery pipelines are not measured during exploration and are exposed during commissioning. By including these three items as mandatory checks in the exploration checklist, the omission rate will decrease, and risks can be mitigated before quotation and contract signing.
Steps of organizing exploration
- Complete the on-site inspection within one week after project approval, and collect data for all four checklists at once;
- Take photos with annotations and verify verbal information on the spot;
- Record and archive the day's work, and follow up with phone calls to verify any missing items;
- Conduct compliance verification on the exploration data and confirm the feasibility item by item;
- The layout design and implementation plan are documented and parameter traceability is ensured;
- The station is invited to participate in the scheme review, and the implementation window is locked on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
The gas station is still open for business. Will the investigation affect its operation?
The exploration primarily involves observation and measurement, without involving fire or earthmoving, and can be completed within half a day, as long as the peak refueling period is avoided. For individual parts that require opening the cover for confirmation, a separate arrangement can be made with the station party to schedule a time, which will have little impact on business operations.
Do we still need to conduct an on-site inspection even if there are drawings?
Yes. It is common for drawings to not match the actual site - due to remnants from renovations, temporary changes, or missing items in the drawings themselves. Surveying is the process of aligning the drawings with the actual site; construction based on the drawings without considering the site leaves all the risks of rework to the later stages.
Can the plan still be changed after exploration?
Yes. Exploration data serves as the input for the plan, and the plan will be adjusted accordingly when the input changes. However, any changes must be evaluated for their impact on the construction period and cost. Once confirmed by both parties, they should be implemented through a change order. Verbal changes will not be recorded, which may lead to disputes during later settlement.
This article is compiled by Luoyang Wohong Petrochemical Equipment Co., Ltd. The company provides design and manufacturing, skid-mounted customization, installation and commissioning, as well as after-sales operation and maintenance services for three-time oil and gas recovery equipment to gas stations and oil depots. If you need on-site inspection or scheme configuration, please feel free to contact us for discussion.