PART J PETROLEUM SUPPLY QUALITY SURVEILLANCE SOP
As a senior petroleum NCO, you have by now become quite familiar with SOPs. While most SOPs cover
procedures related to certain functions, ensuring that they are accomplished in an efficient and effective manner,
the petroleum supply quality surveillance SOP is designed to encompass all aspects of quality surveillance
related to petroleum operations. The following standard format will be used in order to ensure the coverage
required for an effective and efficient SOP:
Unit Location - Using unit location.
References - Applicable references used to develop SOP.
Required Content - SOP content.
Purpose - Tell the reason you are establishing the SOP.
Scope - Specify procedures and requirements to be covered by the SOP.
Responsibility - Responsible personnel for each set of procedures
Procedures - State which operating procedures are to be used.
Miscellaneous - Any additional pertinent information to be included.
Definition Section - Definitions of terms.
Signs and Symbols - Explanation of symbols and/or signs used.
Special Instructions.
Your main responsibility in developing and maintaining a petroleum supply quality surveillance SOP will be to
ensure that all procedures are pertinent to your unit's particular mission. The following areas (depending on the
local situation will be addressed throughout this course) should be addressed in the SOP as a minimum:
Policies and procedures for determining and maintaining petroleum quality during storage.
Policies and procedures for determining and maintaining petroleum quality while loading and unloading
tankers and barges.
Policies and procedures for determining and maintaining petroleum quality while loading and unloading
tank vehicles and tank cars.
Policies and procedures for determining and maintaining petroleum quality during pipeline operations.
Quality standards for aviation fuels.
Sampling and maintenance procedures for filter/separators.
Marking procedures for petroleum containers and equipment.
Environmental and safety considerations for petroleum quality surveillance operations.
Other quality surveillance procedures as dictated by higher headquarters.
Once you have developed and established the petroleum quality surveillance SOP, it is your additional duty to
ensure that you and your subordinates integrate it into your unit's everyday work requirements. This can be
accomplished first by ensuring that all personnel have a physical copy that they can familiarize themselves with.
Other ongoing ways to enforce compliance can take the form of scheduled and unscheduled inspections, drills,
testing, and routine observations.
QM 5097
6-16
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