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Institute For Oil & Gas Training
OGI-1312 New

API 653 Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment Training Course

Duration
5 days
CPD hours
15
Language
English
Next date
02 Nov 2026
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Overview

The API 653 Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment Training Course from Institute For Oil & Gas Training develops the technical capability required to evaluate aboveground storage tanks, identify deterioration, and make informed decisions about equipment integrity. Through a structured approach to Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment, the course equips oil and gas professionals with the knowledge to apply API 653 inspection principles, interpret inspection findings, and support safe, reliable, and cost-effective tank operations.

Aboveground storage tanks are critical assets across refineries, petrochemical plants, crude oil terminals, fuel storage facilities, and other industrial installations. They hold essential products and process materials, making their structural condition and operational reliability important considerations for asset owners and operators. Corrosion, settlement, floor deterioration, shell deformation, roof defects, foundation problems, and changes in operating conditions all affect tank integrity. Without a systematic inspection and assessment process, these conditions compromise asset reliability, increase maintenance demands, and create avoidable operational and environmental risks.

The Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment programme addresses the skills gap between routine visual inspection and a structured engineering evaluation of tank condition. Effective inspection requires more than identifying visible defects. Professionals need to understand inspection requirements, assess damage mechanisms, interpret non-destructive testing results, evaluate the significance of observed deterioration, and establish appropriate recommendations for repair, continued service, or further investigation. These capabilities support consistent decisions throughout the operational life of storage tanks.

API 653 inspection provides an important framework for assessing in-service steel storage tanks, including inspection, repair, alteration, relocation, and reconstruction considerations within the standard's scope. The course examines how this framework supports tank integrity management and how its requirements relate to inspection planning, assessment of damage, maintenance priorities, and decisions about continued operation. Participants also explore the relationship between API 653 and relevant design, fabrication, welding, and non-destructive examination standards.

A particular emphasis is placed on tank floor inspection because deterioration at the tank bottom can be difficult to identify through external visual examination alone. Participants examine the causes and consequences of floor corrosion, the purpose of appropriate inspection techniques, and the importance of evaluating remaining thickness and localised metal loss. The programme also addresses shell and roof condition, settlement, foundation integrity, weld condition, and other factors that contribute to a comprehensive tank integrity assessment.

Delivered by Institute For Oil & Gas Training, the course connects recognised industry standards with practical asset management requirements. Participants develop a clearer understanding of inspection records, technical evidence, defect evaluation, reporting, and the coordination required between inspection personnel, maintenance teams, engineering departments, and operations management. The programme supports professionals who need to make technically defensible recommendations while balancing safety, reliability, maintenance expenditure, and production continuity.

The course also addresses the operational realities of managing tank fleets. Inspection programmes must account for asset criticality, service conditions, corrosion history, previous repairs, inspection findings, and the consequences of equipment failure. Participants examine how these considerations contribute to inspection prioritisation, repair planning, and the development of risk-informed maintenance strategies. The aim is to improve the quality and consistency of decisions rather than treat inspection as an isolated compliance activity.

By the end of the programme, participants will understand how Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment contributes to effective asset integrity management. They will be better prepared to evaluate inspection information, recognise significant deterioration, communicate technical findings, and support appropriate maintenance and engineering decisions for aboveground storage tanks in oil and gas facilities.

Objectives

  • Explain the purpose, scope, and application of API 653 inspection requirements for in-service steel storage tanks.

  • Identify the principal components of aboveground storage tanks and recognise common deterioration mechanisms affecting their integrity.

  • Develop an understanding of inspection planning based on tank condition, service history, corrosion exposure, and operational requirements.

  • Evaluate the importance of tank floor inspection and understand the application of appropriate examination techniques for identifying metal loss and corrosion damage.

  • Interpret shell, roof, bottom, weld, and foundation inspection findings within the context of applicable technical requirements.

  • Recognise the significance of corrosion, settlement, deformation, cracking, and other conditions that affect tank structural integrity.

  • Understand the use of thickness measurements and non-destructive testing results in evaluating deterioration and supporting engineering assessments.

  • Identify the information required to assess remaining thickness, corrosion rates, and the suitability of a tank for continued service.

  • Understand the principles governing tank repairs, alterations, and reconstruction under relevant industry standards.

  • Evaluate inspection documentation and identify information gaps that require clarification or further technical investigation.

  • Prepare clear inspection findings and recommendations that support maintenance planning, engineering review, and operational decision-making.

  • Apply a structured approach to prioritising corrective actions and supporting risk-informed storage tank integrity management.

  • Improve coordination between inspection, maintenance, engineering, and operations teams throughout the tank inspection and repair process.

Training methodology

Institute For Oil & Gas Training delivers the programme through a practical, industry-focused approach that combines technical instruction, inspection case studies, defect evaluation exercises, and structured discussions. The methodology connects API 653 inspection principles with the types of equipment conditions and operational decisions encountered in refineries, storage terminals, and other oil and gas installations.

The course focuses on applying technical knowledge to inspection and integrity challenges. Participants work through representative scenarios involving corrosion, floor plate deterioration, shell defects, settlement, roof damage, and weld-related concerns. These scenarios demonstrate how inspection observations become engineering evidence and how that evidence supports decisions about further examination, repairs, monitoring, and continued service.

Standard-Based Technical Instruction

The programme introduces the purpose, scope, and application of API 653 and explains its relationship with other relevant industry standards. Participants examine inspection terminology, the responsibilities associated with tank integrity management, and the distinction between inspection observations and engineering assessments.

Instruction also covers the importance of recognising the limits of individual inspection methods. Participants learn why findings require appropriate interpretation, why acceptance criteria must be taken from applicable standards, and why engineering decisions depend on equipment history, service conditions, and the quality of available inspection data.

Inspection Case Studies

Case studies present representative storage tank defects and the decisions required to address them. Participants examine examples involving corrosion patterns, localised floor thinning, shell deterioration, foundation settlement, roof condition, and defects identified during non-destructive examination.

Each case study encourages a structured approach to assessing the available evidence. Participants identify relevant information, consider the possible significance of observed damage, and determine which additional inspections or engineering evaluations are appropriate. This approach reinforces the importance of documenting the basis for recommendations.

Practical Defect Assessment Exercises

Structured exercises focus on interpreting inspection findings and understanding how deterioration affects tank integrity. Participants review sample inspection records, thickness measurements, corrosion observations, and defect descriptions to establish the questions that must be resolved before a technical recommendation is made.

Tank floor inspection receives particular attention because bottom deterioration requires careful consideration of remaining thickness, corrosion distribution, and the limitations of available examination techniques. Participants explore how inspection results support decisions about additional examination, repair requirements, and engineering assessment without relying on assumptions unsupported by the evidence.

Scenario-Based Decision-Making

Realistic operational scenarios help participants examine the relationship between inspection findings and asset management priorities. Scenarios address tanks approaching planned inspection, assets with a history of recurring corrosion, and equipment requiring further assessment before continued service decisions are made.

Participants consider how to distinguish urgent integrity concerns from defects suitable for planned intervention. They also examine how technical findings should be communicated to operations, maintenance, inspection, and engineering teams so that the response reflects the severity of the condition and the applicable technical requirements.

Group Discussions and Collaborative Exercises

Group discussions encourage participants to compare assessment approaches, identify missing information, and examine the reasoning behind different recommendations. This collaborative process reflects the multidisciplinary nature of storage tank integrity management, where inspection personnel, engineers, maintenance planners, and operational teams contribute different forms of expertise.

Participants also consider the importance of inspection traceability, consistent reporting, and clear communication of uncertainties. The exercises reinforce the need to distinguish verified findings from assumptions and to escalate conditions requiring specialist evaluation.

Inspection Reporting and Action Planning

The programme concludes its practical approach by connecting inspection results with actionable recommendations. Participants examine the information required in effective inspection reports, including asset identification, observed condition, examination methods, measurement results, relevant acceptance criteria, and recommended actions.

The methodology helps participants develop a more systematic approach to recording defects, identifying additional examination requirements, prioritising maintenance activities, and following up on corrective actions. These skills support stronger inspection governance and more effective management of aboveground storage tanks throughout their service life.

Organisational impact

Effective Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment supports organisations in managing asset condition, controlling operational risks, and improving the reliability of storage infrastructure. By developing a consistent understanding of inspection requirements and assessment principles, Institute For Oil & Gas Training helps participating organisations strengthen the connection between technical findings and practical asset management decisions.

Improved Asset Integrity Management

A structured inspection approach helps organisations identify deterioration, understand its potential consequences, and determine appropriate follow-up actions. Improved interpretation of inspection findings supports more consistent decisions across tank fleets and reduces the likelihood of important defects being overlooked or inadequately documented.

Organisations benefit from stronger visibility of tank condition, clearer maintenance priorities, and more effective coordination of inspection activities. These improvements support the development of asset integrity programmes based on technical evidence rather than routine scheduling alone.

Better Maintenance Planning and Cost Control

Inspection findings provide essential information for planning repairs, allocating maintenance resources, and preparing budgets. A stronger understanding of tank deterioration helps teams distinguish between conditions requiring prompt intervention and those requiring further investigation or planned maintenance.

This approach improves the quality of maintenance planning by linking proposed expenditure to documented asset condition and technical requirements. It also supports more informed decisions about repair scope, inspection frequency, and the sequencing of maintenance activities across multiple assets.

Reduced Operational and Environmental Exposure

Storage tank deterioration can contribute to leakage, product loss, unplanned shutdowns, and environmental incidents. A systematic approach to tank integrity assessment improves the organisation's ability to identify conditions requiring corrective action before they develop into more serious operational problems.

The course reinforces the importance of appropriate inspection coverage, accurate defect documentation, and timely escalation of significant findings. These practices support stronger control of asset-related risks and help organisations maintain reliable storage operations.

Stronger Technical Compliance and Inspection Governance

Organisations need inspection activities that follow applicable standards, approved procedures, and established engineering requirements. Understanding API 653 and its relationship with other relevant standards helps personnel recognise the technical basis for inspection and integrity decisions.

Improved inspection governance also depends on traceable records, consistent reporting, clear responsibilities, and documented follow-up. These practices support internal assurance activities, external inspection reviews, and the demonstration of a structured approach to tank integrity management.

Improved Cross-Functional Coordination

Storage tank integrity depends on effective collaboration between inspection, maintenance, engineering, operations, and asset management teams. The course establishes a common technical foundation that helps these functions interpret findings consistently and agree on appropriate next steps.

Better communication reduces ambiguity when inspection results require engineering review, additional non-destructive testing, repair planning, or operational decisions. It also improves the transfer of information between personnel responsible for identifying defects and those accountable for implementing corrective actions.

More Consistent Asset-Related Decisions

Organisations benefit when inspection findings are evaluated using consistent technical principles and clearly documented acceptance criteria. The programme strengthens understanding of how condition data, corrosion history, inspection limitations, and applicable standards contribute to integrity decisions.

This supports more defensible recommendations concerning further examination, repair, monitoring, and continued service. It also improves the quality of information available to asset managers when comparing maintenance priorities and allocating resources.

Personal impact

Participants gain practical knowledge that strengthens their contribution to storage tank inspection, engineering support, and asset integrity activities across the oil and gas sector.

Stronger Technical Understanding

Participants develop a clearer understanding of aboveground storage tank components, deterioration mechanisms, inspection methods, and the technical considerations involved in evaluating equipment condition. This knowledge supports more informed discussions with inspectors, engineers, maintenance specialists, and operational personnel.

Improved Inspection Interpretation

The course strengthens participants' ability to interpret inspection reports, recognise significant defects, and identify where further examination or engineering assessment is required. Participants become better equipped to distinguish between recorded observations and conclusions that require additional technical evidence.

Greater Confidence in API 653 Application

Participants improve their understanding of API 653 inspection principles and their relevance to tank integrity management. They learn how to identify the applicable requirements, recognise the importance of acceptance criteria, and understand when specialist engineering judgement is necessary.

Enhanced Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Practical exercises develop a structured approach to evaluating corrosion, floor deterioration, shell defects, settlement, and other integrity concerns. Participants strengthen their ability to identify missing information, compare possible responses, and support recommendations with documented evidence.

Better Reporting and Communication

Participants improve their understanding of effective inspection reporting, technical documentation, and communication of defects. These capabilities help them explain inspection findings clearly, document outstanding issues, and coordinate appropriate follow-up with relevant stakeholders.

Increased Professional Capability

The knowledge gained supports professionals seeking to strengthen their responsibilities in inspection planning, maintenance coordination, asset integrity management, and technical assurance. It also provides a foundation for further development in storage tank inspection and related industry standards.

Who should attend

  • Tank Inspection Engineers: Develop a stronger understanding of API 653 requirements, inspection findings, and integrity assessment principles.

  • Mechanical Engineers: Improve their ability to evaluate tank condition, understand deterioration mechanisms, and support repair and maintenance decisions.

  • Asset Integrity Engineers: Strengthen their approach to managing tank inspection findings, assessing asset condition, and prioritising integrity-related actions.

  • Inspection Engineers and Supervisors: Improve inspection planning, technical reporting, defect evaluation, and coordination of inspection activities.

  • Non-Destructive Testing Personnel: Understand how examination results contribute to storage tank condition assessment and recognise when further engineering evaluation is necessary.

  • Corrosion Engineers and Specialists: Develop a clearer understanding of corrosion mechanisms affecting tank floors, shells, roofs, and associated components.

  • Maintenance Engineers and Planners: Use inspection information more effectively when developing repair scopes, maintenance schedules, and resource plans.

  • Reliability Engineers: Connect tank condition findings with asset reliability priorities and the prevention of unplanned equipment failures.

  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control Personnel: Strengthen their understanding of inspection documentation, repair quality considerations, and relevant technical standards.

  • Storage Terminal Managers: Improve oversight of tank condition, inspection programmes, maintenance priorities, and operational risk.

  • Operations Managers and Supervisors: Understand the implications of tank inspection findings for operational planning and safe equipment management.

  • Project Engineers and Technical Managers: Develop insight into tank repair, alteration, reconstruction, and integrity-related engineering decisions.

  • Technical Consultants and Contract Inspectors: Strengthen their knowledge of recognised inspection principles and the technical requirements relevant to tank assessment.

  • Senior Maintenance and Engineering Managers: Improve their ability to review inspection recommendations, allocate resources, and oversee tank integrity programmes.

Course outline

This module establishes the technical foundation for Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment. Participants examine the purpose of in-service tank inspection, the responsibilities associated with integrity management, and the relationship between equipment condition, operating history, and inspection requirements.

The module explores the main components of aboveground storage tanks, including tank floors, shells, roofs, welds, and foundations. Participants develop an understanding of common deterioration mechanisms, inspection terminology, asset documentation, and the information required to establish a reliable baseline for future assessments.

  1. API 653

    • Establishes requirements and guidance for the inspection, repair, alteration, relocation, and reconstruction of applicable steel storage tanks.

    • Provides a recognised basis for evaluating in-service tank condition and determining appropriate inspection and maintenance actions.

    • Addresses inspection responsibilities, assessment principles, and technical considerations relevant to continued service.

    • Supports consistent interpretation of tank condition in conjunction with other applicable engineering standards and site procedures.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Explain the purpose and scope of API 653 inspection.

    • Identify the principal components of aboveground storage tanks and their integrity requirements.

    • Recognise common forms of tank deterioration and their potential operational consequences.

    • Explain the importance of inspection history, design information, and maintenance records.

    • Distinguish inspection observations from engineering conclusions and repair recommendations.

    • Identify the information required to support a structured tank integrity assessment.

Tank floor inspection is a central element of storage tank integrity management because bottom deterioration can remain concealed during normal external examination. This module examines corrosion mechanisms affecting tank bottoms, the factors influencing metal loss, and the importance of assessing remaining material condition.

Participants explore the purpose and limitations of applicable non-destructive testing techniques, including ultrasonic thickness measurement and magnetic flux leakage examination where appropriate. The module also addresses corrosion mapping, localised metal loss, floor plate condition, and the interpretation of inspection results in accordance with applicable assessment requirements.

  1. API 653

    • Addresses the inspection and evaluation of tank bottoms within the standard's applicable requirements.

    • Provides a basis for considering remaining bottom thickness, corrosion rates, and relevant acceptance criteria.

    • Supports decisions concerning additional examination, repairs, and continued service where applicable.

    • Requires assessment to reflect the relevant tank configuration, inspection evidence, and applicable technical provisions.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Identify common internal and external corrosion mechanisms affecting tank floors.

    • Explain the purpose of tank floor inspection and the selection of appropriate examination methods.

    • Interpret representative thickness measurements and corrosion mapping information.

    • Recognise the significance of localised metal loss, pitting, and areas of concentrated deterioration.

    • Explain how corrosion history and remaining thickness contribute to integrity assessment.

    • Identify conditions requiring additional examination or specialist engineering review.

    • Understand how inspection results inform repair planning and continued service decisions.

This module examines the structural elements that contribute to the integrity of aboveground storage tanks. Participants explore shell plate deterioration, weld defects, roof damage, settlement, foundation condition, and geometric changes that affect the structural performance of a tank.

The module considers how operating conditions, corrosion, loading, foundation movement, and previous repairs influence the interpretation of inspection findings. Participants examine the relationship between visual inspection, dimensional measurements, non-destructive examination, and engineering evaluation when determining the significance of observed defects.

  1. API 650

    • Provides requirements for the design and construction of applicable welded steel storage tanks.

    • Establishes technical provisions relevant to tank configuration, materials, structural design, and fabrication.

    • Provides useful design context when evaluating existing tank features and understanding the basis of original construction.

    • Complements in-service inspection requirements, while API 653 remains the principal standard for applicable in-service inspection and repair activities.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Identify common defects affecting tank shells, roofs, welds, and structural components.

    • Explain how settlement and foundation deterioration influence tank integrity.

    • Recognise signs of deformation, corrosion, cracking, and structural distress.

    • Understand the role of visual inspection and appropriate non-destructive examination in structural assessment.

    • Explain the importance of design information when evaluating existing tank condition.

    • Identify structural findings that require additional investigation or engineering assessment.

    • Relate structural inspection findings to maintenance priorities and repair recommendations.

This module focuses on the engineering considerations involved in determining whether a storage tank remains suitable for continued service. Participants examine how inspection findings, thickness measurements, corrosion rates, operating history, and applicable acceptance criteria contribute to the assessment process.

The module also addresses repair and alteration considerations, including the importance of approved procedures, appropriate material selection, welding quality, and inspection after repair. Participants explore how integrity findings influence decisions about repair scope, additional examination, operating restrictions, and the need for specialist evaluation.

  1. API 579-1/ASME FFS-1

    • Provides recognised fitness-for-service assessment methods for evaluating certain forms of damage in pressurised and non-pressurised equipment within its scope.

    • Addresses assessment approaches for applicable damage mechanisms, including metal loss and other forms of deterioration.

    • Supports technically justified decisions about equipment suitability for continued operation when the relevant assessment method applies.

    • Complements applicable storage tank requirements but does not replace API 653 where API 653 governs the tank inspection or repair activity.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Explain the principles of remaining life assessment and their relationship to tank integrity.

    • Identify the inspection information required to evaluate corrosion and material deterioration.

    • Understand how corrosion rates and remaining thickness contribute to assessment decisions.

    • Recognise the importance of applicable acceptance criteria and documented engineering calculations.

    • Explain key considerations associated with tank repairs, alterations, and welding activities.

    • Identify circumstances requiring fitness-for-service evaluation or specialist engineering input.

    • Understand how repair verification and post-repair inspection support integrity assurance.

    • Develop a structured understanding of the evidence required to support continued service recommendations.

The final module connects inspection findings with practical integrity management and operational decision-making. Participants examine how inspection reports, defect records, historical data, and engineering recommendations support maintenance planning and the prioritisation of corrective actions across tank fleets.

The module also considers the role of risk-based inspection principles in allocating inspection resources according to asset condition, deterioration mechanisms, and potential consequences of failure. Participants explore how organisations can improve inspection traceability, coordinate technical responsibilities, monitor corrective actions, and maintain effective records throughout the storage tank lifecycle.

  1. API 580

    • Establishes the principles and essential elements of risk-based inspection programmes.

    • Provides a framework for evaluating risk through consideration of failure likelihood and consequences.

    • Supports the prioritisation of inspection activities and the allocation of resources according to assessed risk.

    • Complements tank-specific inspection requirements when incorporated into an appropriate asset integrity programme.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Explain the purpose and structure of an effective storage tank inspection report.

    • Identify the essential information required for traceable inspection records.

    • Interpret inspection findings in the context of asset condition and operational priorities.

    • Explain how risk-based inspection supports inspection planning and resource allocation.

    • Distinguish between immediate integrity concerns, planned maintenance requirements, and issues requiring further investigation.

    • Develop clear recommendations for corrective action, monitoring, and engineering review.

    • Understand how inspection records support trend analysis and future inspection planning.

    • Improve communication between inspection, engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.

    • Explain how inspection findings contribute to continuous improvement in tank integrity management.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the API 653 Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment Training Course, attendees receive a Certificate of Completion from Institute For Oil & Gas Training.

The certificate recognises completion of the training programme. Attendees are required to meet the course attendance requirements established by Institute For Oil & Gas Training to receive the certificate.

The Certificate of Completion confirms participation in the training and does not, by itself, constitute API 653 certification or confer professional inspection authorisation.

Course dates

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,900

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,900

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,900

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,900

Fees include tuition, course materials and refreshments. Need different dates or a different city? Ask about your preferred date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the API 653 Storage Tank Inspection and Integrity Assessment Training Course?

The course is a professional training programme covering the inspection and integrity assessment of aboveground steel storage tanks. It examines API 653 principles, tank floor inspection, corrosion assessment, structural integrity, remaining life considerations, repair requirements, and inspection reporting. The programme helps participants understand how inspection findings support safe operations, maintenance planning, and effective asset integrity management.

Who should attend this storage tank inspection training course?

The course is designed for tank inspectors, mechanical engineers, asset integrity professionals, corrosion specialists, non-destructive testing personnel, maintenance planners, reliability engineers, inspection supervisors, and storage terminal managers. It is also relevant to operations personnel and engineering managers responsible for storage tank condition, maintenance decisions, or inspection programme oversight.

Does the course cover API 653 inspection requirements?

Yes. The course examines the purpose and application of API 653, including in-service inspection, tank condition assessment, repair considerations, and continued service evaluation. It also explains how API 653 relates to other recognised standards, including API 650, API 580, and API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, where applicable. The programme provides training on these principles but does not award API 653 certification.

What topics are covered in the course modules?

The five modules cover storage tank inspection fundamentals, tank floor inspection and corrosion assessment, shell and roof condition, foundation and structural integrity, remaining life assessment, repair considerations, inspection reporting, and risk-based prioritisation. Participants also examine how non-destructive testing results and historical inspection records contribute to a structured tank integrity assessment.

What certificate do participants receive, and how long is the course?

Attendees who complete the course and meet the attendance requirements established by Institute For Oil & Gas Training receive a Certificate of Completion. The overall course duration is 15 to 20 hours. The certificate recognises completion of the training programme and is not equivalent to formal API 653 certification.

Next: 02 Nov 2026

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