Ind. Admin. Code tit. 312, r. 29-27-2 – Storage tank requirements in hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) areas

Sec. 2. (a) Storage tanks operated as a part of a production operation at or near atmospheric pressure creating an area of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) three (3) feet downwind of an open hatch or atmospheric vent, shall be subject to the following:

(1) The owner or operator shall keep all tank hatches closed at all times except when necessary to inspect or to gauge such tanks.
(2) The owner or operator shall prevent entry to the storage tank facility by unauthorized persons. At a minimum, the following security measures shall be used:
1. (A) Security fencing is required when storage tanks are located in an incorporated city or town or within one thousand (1,000) feet of any of the following:
  1. (i) Occupied dwellings.
  2. (ii) Commercial buildings.
  3. (iii) Places of business.
  4. (iv) Schools.
  5. (v) Churches.
  6. (vi) Government buildings.
  7. (vii) Public parks.
2. (B) For areas not specified in clause (A), by security fencing or by locking the hatches on all such tanks when not being inspected or gauged.

(b) Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) fumes and vapors from atmospheric vents on storage tanks and separators shall be minimized by one (1) or more of the following measures:

(1) A vapor recovery unit.
(2) Combustion of tank vapors through a combustion device with a permanent reliable ignition system attached thereon.
(3) Installation and maintenance of suitable carbon filtration devices.
(4) Other means approved by the division of reclamation.

(c) Upon request of the division director, the owner or operator shall conduct atmospheric monitoring at the perimeter of the storage tank facility from a point downwind of the tanks to measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations during crude oil loading operations or when the wells are actively flowing produced fluids into the storage tanks.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 29-27-2; filed Dec 1, 2017, 10:35 a.m.: 20171227-IR-312160230FRA; readopted filed Jan 17, 2023, 1:53 p.m.: 20230215-IR-312220328RFA; errata filed Mar 18, 2026, 9:59 a.m.: 20260325-IR-312260094ACA)