API RP 1604 is a practical reference for the Closure of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks, giving buyers a clear basis for evaluating field work, planning, and technical review around tank closure activities. As an API Recommended Practice, it is aimed at supporting consistent decisions rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach. For organizations responsible for underground petroleum storage assets, this document can help align operations, maintenance, inspection, and integrity-related work with a recognized industry reference. API RP 1604 is especially relevant when closure planning must be documented, coordinated, and handled with operational discipline.

What is API RP 1604?

API RP 1604 is the 4th edition of the American Petroleum Institute recommended practice for the closure of underground petroleum storage tanks. Its purpose is to provide practical guidance for managing closure activities in a controlled and technically consistent way. Because it is a recommended practice, the document is best used as an implementation and decision-support reference for personnel who need to plan, review, or carry out closure-related work. It is a useful engineering and operations document for organizations that need a recognized API source of guidance.

How is API RP 1604 used in practice?

API RP 1604 is commonly used by operations teams, maintenance personnel, integrity engineers, inspectors, and project or technical managers involved with underground petroleum storage tanks. It may support closure planning, field coordination, technical review, and documentation practices where tank removal or abandonment is being managed. In commercial and industrial settings, the document can help teams maintain workflow consistency and align internal procedures with an established API reference. API RP 1604 is also useful for procurement and compliance-related review when a company needs a documented basis for closure work.

Why does API RP 1604 matter for operations and maintenance?

This document matters because closure work on underground petroleum storage tanks can affect safety, environmental control, site restoration, and project execution. API RP 1604 gives teams a common technical reference that supports planning and communication across operations, maintenance, inspection, and engineering functions. For buyers, it can improve specification clarity, reduce ambiguity in work scope, and support consistent internal procedures. API RP 1604 is especially valuable when companies need a practical API document to guide closure-related decisions and keep work aligned with recognized industry practice.

• Closure of underground petroleum storage tanks
• API Recommended Practice reference
• Field planning and technical review
• Operations, maintenance, and inspection support
• Documentation and workflow consistency
• 4th edition, 2021, 82 pages