Overview
ISO 16961:2024 - "Oil and gas industries including lower carbon energy - Internal coating and lining of steel storage tanks" defines technical requirements for internal coating and lining systems used in steel storage tanks storing crude oil, hydrocarbons and water. The standard covers new construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and repair work, and sets out requirements for surface preparation, materials, application, inspection, testing and shop performance testing with approval criteria. It replaces ISO 16961:2015 and was prepared by ISO/TC 67 in cooperation with CEN/TC 12.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and conformance: Requirements for both new-build and repair/rehabilitation work; criteria for demonstrating conformance to the standard.
- Pre‑work requirements: Safety precautions in flammable atmospheres, positive isolation and ventilation, and qualification of application and inspection personnel.
- Materials and approvals: Specifications and approval processes for coating/lining materials - including fibreglass lining, glass‑flake filled systems, epoxy thin‑film systems, primers, caulks and fillers. Includes prequalification and pre‑production trial requirements.
- Surface preparation: Tank pre‑cleaning, residue removal, preparatory patching, dry abrasive blast cleaning, humidity/dew‑point control and after‑blast procedures.
- Application: Laminate and coating application methods, primer and caulking application, typical film/laminate thickness considerations and weather/environmental controls during application.
- Inspection and testing: In‑field and shop testing requirements - holiday detection, film thickness, curing hardness, adhesion tests, environmental condition monitoring, and criteria for defect repair.
- Quality and documentation: Work proposals, records, inspection reports, certificates of conformance and final reporting. Annexes provide practical aids (dew point charts, application notes, example data sheets).
Applications and users
ISO 16961:2024 is intended for stakeholders in the oil, gas and lower‑carbon energy sectors involved with steel storage tanks, including:
- Tank owners and operators specifying corrosion protection
- Engineering firms and asset integrity teams
- Coating/lining manufacturers and applicators
- Inspection and quality assurance personnel
- Contract specifiers and procurement teams
Use cases include new tank construction, routine maintenance, rehabilitation of degraded linings, and supplier/shop performance qualification.
Related standards and context
- Developed by ISO/TC 67 (Oil and gas industries) in collaboration with CEN/TC 12.
- Supersedes ISO 16961:2015 and aligns with industry practice for corrosion protection and coating qualification.
Keywords: ISO 16961:2024, internal coating, tank lining, steel storage tanks, corrosion protection, surface preparation, fibreglass lining, epoxy coating, inspection and testing.