At Pipeline Equities, when we close down an underground oil tank or pipeline, we follow a proven process that protects property values as well as the environment. Our method satisfies all regulatory standards while maintaining environmental responsibility. Through the appropriate decommissioning of subsurface tanks and pipelines, landowners can eliminate potential future liabilities and ready their properties for redevelopment. Here’s how we transform these outdated underground systems into safely abandoned assets:

Our Abandonment Process

Fuel Removal We begin by carefully removing any remaining fuel or petroleum products from the buried tank or pipeline. Fuel removal prevents potential leaks and creates a clean starting point for the rest of the process.

Thorough Cleaning Next, we use high-pressure washing equipment with specialized spinning nozzles to clean every interior surface. This removes residual oil, sludge, and contaminants that could pose environmental risks if left behind.

Waste Removal After cleaning, we thoroughly evacuate all the liquid waste from inside the system. This includes both the cleaning water and any remaining petroleum residues, ensuring nothing is left behind that could leak into surrounding soil.

Filling the Space Once clean and dry, we fill the entire tank or pipeline using one of two proven methods:

• Two-part expanding urethane foam that completely fills all available space
• Concrete grouting that solidifies inside the structure

Complete Curing Finally, we allow sufficient time for the filling material to properly cure and harden. This creates a permanent, solid mass that prevents future collapse and eliminates any void spaces where contaminants could collect.

Our Complete Service Offerings

We provide a comprehensive set of related services to address any underground petroleum storage situation:

Oil Tank Removal When complete removal makes the most sense, Pipeline Equities can safely excavate and remove your entire tank system, properly disposing of all materials in accordance to environmental regulations.

Oil Spill Cleanup In the event that your property has experienced a leak or spill, our remediation experts will clean up contaminated soil and restore your property to meet environmental standards.

Tank Abandonment in Place For situations where removal isn’t practical or necessary, our in-place abandonment process offers a safe, permanent solution that meets all regulatory requirements.

Natural Gas Pipeline Abandonment Our specialized techniques for smaller gas lines ensure safe, permanent decommissioning with no future risks.

Concrete Pipeline Grouting For permanent pipeline closure, our concrete grouting services create solid, stable fills that prevent future problems.

Why Proper Abandonment Matters

Correctly abandoning underground petroleum infrastructure protects more than just the environment—it protects your property value and prevents future liability. Abandoned tanks and pipelines that haven’t been properly decommissioned can:

• Leak remaining contaminants into surrounding soil and groundwater
• Create unstable void spaces that could lead to ground settling or sinkholes
• Complicate future property sales or development plans
• Create ongoing liability for property owners
• Violate current environmental regulations

With Pipeline Equity’s comprehensive abandonment services, you’re making a smart investment in your property’s future knowing that you are finally meeting all regulatory requirements. We bring with us decades of experience in the pipeline industry which ensures every abandonment project is completed safely, thoroughly, and in full compliance with all applicable standards.

Whether you’re preparing a property for sale, addressing environmental concerns, or simply updating outdated infrastructure, Pipeline Equity’s professional abandonment services provide peace of mind that the job has been done right—protecting both your investment and our shared environment for years to come.

Procedural Excellence in Decommissioning Protocol Implementation

The abandonment protocol can encompass sophisticated multi-phase approaches designed to address both immediate safety concerns and long-term environmental risk vectors:

Phase 1: Residual Hydrocarbon Evacuation

The initial intervention involves comprehensive extraction of remnant petroleum products from the subterranean vessel or conduit system. This critical first step utilizes precision pumping technology to remove liquid hydrocarbons to the maximum extent technically feasible, establishing the foundation for subsequent remediation activities. The efficacy of this phase directly influences both environmental outcomes and operational efficiency in subsequent protocol stages.

Residual product removal requires meticulous attention to technical parameters including:

• Optimal pump placement for maximum extraction efficiency
• Proper handling and documentation of recovered product
• Verification methodologies to confirm extraction completeness
• Compliance with transportation and disposal regulations

Phase 2: High-Pressure Hydrodynamic Cleansing

Following product removal, implementation of rotational nozzle technology enables comprehensive interior surface decontamination. This sophisticated cleaning methodology utilizes precision-engineered water pressure systems that create omnidirectional force vectors, effectively dislodging and mobilizing hydrocarbon residues that have adhered to interior surfaces through capillary action and molecular bonding.

The hydrodynamic cleansing system operates on multiple technical principles:

• Calibrated pressure gradients tailored to specific contaminant profiles
• Rotational kinetics ensuring complete surface coverage
• Optimal temperature parameters to enhance hydrocarbon mobilization
• Water conservation through recirculation systems where feasible

Phase 3: Contaminated Effluent Management

The thorough evacuation of all cleansing effluent represents a critical environmental safeguard within the protocol framework. Advanced vacuum extraction systems, often incorporating phase separation technology, facilitate the comprehensive removal of contaminated liquids, preventing potential leaching into surrounding soil matrices or groundwater systems.

This phase incorporates sophisticated waste management protocols:

• Rigorous chain-of-custody documentation
• Appropriate waste characterization and profiling
• Transportation compliance with applicable regulations
• Selection of optimal treatment or disposal pathways

Phase 4: Volumetric Stabilization Implementation

The strategic deployment of advanced two-component polyurethane expansion systems or engineered cementitious materials achieves complete volumetric occupation of the decommissioned infrastructure. This critical phase transforms potential void spaces into stabilized environments, eliminating subsidence risks while creating an effective barrier against potential future contamination migration.

Material selection considerations include:

• Structural integrity parameters based on site-specific conditions
• Expansion coefficient calculations for polyurethane applications
• Compressive strength requirements for cementitious solutions
• Long-term stability profiles under various environmental conditions
• Chemical inertness to prevent future environmental interactions

Phase 5: Material Curing and Quality Verification

The establishment of appropriate temporal parameters ensures optimal molecular cross-linking (for polyurethane systems) or hydration reactions (for cementitious materials), resulting in maximum structural integrity of the stabilization medium. This phase often incorporates verification methodologies such as core sampling or non-destructive testing to confirm compliance with engineered specifications.

Strategic Service Portfolio Architecture

The comprehensive service ecosystem encompasses multiple interconnected capabilities that collectively address the complex challenges of petroleum infrastructure retirement:

Storage Vessel Extraction

Complete removal of underground petroleum containment systems represents the most definitive approach to site rehabilitation, eliminating all potential future liability vectors associated with the infrastructure. This comprehensive intervention typically incorporates:

• Site preparation and access engineering
• Precision excavation methodologies
• Structural integrity assessment
• Controlled vessel extraction
• Comprehensive site restoration
• Documentation for regulatory closure

Hydrocarbon Contamination Remediation

Advanced soil and groundwater restoration utilizing state-of-the-art extraction and bioremediation technologies addresses environmental impacts that may have occurred prior to decommissioning. This specialized service component incorporates:

• Detailed site characterization
• Contaminant delineation
• Remedial action plan development
• Implementation of appropriate technology solutions
• Performance monitoring
• Regulatory coordination and closure documentation

In-Situ Abandonment Protocols

Strategic methodologies for on-site decommissioning of storage vessels provide an alternative pathway when extraction presents prohibitive economic or logistical challenges. This approach utilizes the multi-phase protocol described previously, with additional emphasis on verification methodologies to ensure environmental isolation.

Natural Gas Transmission Line Deactivation

Specialized procedures for smaller diameter methane conveyance infrastructure address unique safety parameters associated with gaseous hydrocarbon systems. This service component incorporates:

• Pipeline purging methodologies
• Explosive atmosphere monitoring
• Strategic access point engineering
• Specialized cleaning protocols
• Comprehensive filling strategies
• Endpoint management

Cementitious Pipeline Infill

Engineered grouting solutions provide structural reinforcement and environmental isolation of decommissioned pipeline assets, creating a permanent barrier against potential future environmental interactions. Advanced grout formulations are tailored to specific application requirements:

• Flow characteristics optimized for pipeline geometries
• Set time parameters appropriate to operational conditions
• Compressive strength specifications based on site conditions
• Chemical resistance properties for long-term stability

Value Creation Through Strategic Decommissioning

Taking down old oil and gas infrastructure isn’t just about following rules – it creates real value in several key ways:

Environmental Protection

Comprehensive decommissioning effectively eliminates potential future release scenarios, protecting groundwater resources and preventing soil contamination. Proper decommissioning prevents future contamination problems, which means:

• No expensive cleanup costs down the road
• Protected water and soil resources
• Avoiding regulatory fines
• Maintaining your company’s green reputation

Property Value Boost

Land with old petroleum equipment often sells for less because buyers worry about environmental issues and development restrictions. Remove the old infrastructure, and you unlock the property’s full market value.

Staying Compliant

Oil and gas regulations keep getting stricter. Professional decommissioning ensures you meet all requirements, helping you avoid violations and penalties.

Better Corporate Responsibility

Environmental care is now a must-have in business. Strategic decommissioning shows your company walks the talk on sustainability commitments.

Reduced Operational Headaches

Active petroleum infrastructure needs constant monitoring and maintenance to prevent leaks. Decommissioning eliminates these ongoing responsibilities and costs, saving money long-term.