Aboveground tank safety audit under API 653

API 653 is an American Petroleum Institute standard setting the requirements for the inspection, repair, alteration and reconstruction of welded steel storage tanks built to API 650 or its equivalent. It is fundamental to guaranteeing the integrity and operational safety of hydrocarbon tanks.

Resolución 277/2025 makes it mandatory to certify hydrocarbon storage tanks in Argentina to the international API 653 standard. The regulation seeks to guarantee operational safety and compliance with the international standards at fuel storage installations.

The frequency depends on the type: external inspection at most every 5 years, internal inspection based on the calculated corrosion rate (typically 5-10 years), and bottom assessment according to specific conditions. API 653 provides methods to calculate intervals from corrosion data.

A complete API 653 inspection includes: visual inspection of bottom, shell and roof; ultrasonic thickness measurement; settlement assessment; weld inspection; verification of fittings and connections; tightness testing; and assessment of the condition of the coating and cathodic protection.

Our inspectors hold the API 653 Tank Inspector certification issued by the American Petroleum Institute, along with non-destructive testing certifications under IRAM-ISO 9712. That guarantees the technical competence required to inspect to the highest international standards.

If the tank shows deviations from API 653, our team produces a detailed report with the non-conformities found and provides repair or alteration recommendations following the procedures set out in the standard, allowing the tank to be brought back to safe operation.