2017 API Tanks, Valves, and Piping Conference & Expo

Preliminary Program

Keynotes

Wednesday, October 25
Challenges in the North American Steel Industry
Charles Schmitt, President, SSAB Americas 

In April, 2017, President Trump authorized an investigation to be performed by the Secretary of Commerce under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine the impact on national security resulting from massive imports of foreign steel. President Trump signed a memorandum directing the Secretary to recommend actions to adjust steel imports if foreign imported steel threatened our national security.

Six months have passed. This session will be centered around the latest developments and business outlook with the North American steel industry, establishing if and how global overcapacity has resulted from illegal trade practices, and the US response to such practices. Extensive commentary gathered from the Section 232 investigation includes the impact on steel processing, and the impact on downstream steel products fabricated for the energy infrastructure.

Thursday, October 26
Human Critters, Rebels, Revolution and Success!
Mike Burgett, International-Matex Tank Terminals

Dr. Mike Burnett combines his academic background and his thirty years of practical management experience in a presentation that will provide keen insight for those whose job is to manage human critters.

2017 Conference Presentations Include

Tank Track

• EPA AST Regulatory Update
• New Venting Requirements vs. Existing Tanks
• Impact of Inlet and Outlet Piping on Low-Pressure Vent Capacity 
• What to Expect (Maybe) from the Updated API 2350
• The Key Relationships Between Industry, Fire Codes, and SPCC Plans
• Hurricanes and Storm Events—Lessons Learned
• Floating Roof Challenge Flag: Why You Should Red Flag Your Floating Roof Repairs
• New Technology: In-Service API 653 Robotic Tank Floor Inspections
• Overlooked Performance Implications for Refrigerated LNG Tanks
• How to Properly Complete the API 650 Data Sheet
• Drones for Storage Tank Inspections and Beyond
• Hot Work Safety - Building Best Practices for Tanks and Piping
• Evaluating Existing Linings for Continued Service - An Owner’s Dilemma
• Firewater Storage: A Proven, Economical Solution may be NEW to You!
• How To Avoid that Sinking Feeling: A Look at Floating Roof Designs and Pitfalls
• API Standards 101

Valves and Piping Track

• U.S. Chemical Safety Board Investigation Update: Hazards of Hot Work Operations During Pipeline Welding
• Avoiding Vibration-Induced Fatigue - A New Risk-Based Approach
• Resources for Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity - Why Do We Need So Many?  Past vs. Present
• Designing and Maintaining Reliable Emergency Shut Down Safety Instrumented Systems
• Multiport Flow Selector Valve Applications, Construction, and Troubleshooting
• 30 years in 30 Minutes - The history of Valve Fugitive Emissions Standards through our Eyes
• Laboratory Measurement of the Oxidation Rate of Flexible Graphite Sealing Materials
• Realizing the Unintended Consequences of Improving Prevention and Mitigation Efforts Related to Accidental Releases of LNG
• “Keeping Fit for the Fight” – Tips for Proper Valve Preparation, Storage & Installation
• Valves Commissioning Best Practices
• In-Place Pipe Support Load Testing and Hanger Surveys – Part of a Best in Class Fitness for Service Program
• The Latest Developments in PMI tools and Applications
• Cryogenic Service - Valve Design & Testing Requirements
• API Valve Testing Standards & Hydrostatic Valve Testing Technologies
• Valve and Pipe Integrity Monitoring and Leak Detection with Advanced Polymer Absorption Hydrocarbon Sensors
• Check Valves in Cryogenic Service
• Impact of Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Rating of Valves in a Safety System
• EPA Inspections of Washington Petroleum Distributors, 2010-2017
• A New, Risk-Based Approach to Avoid Vibration-Induced Fatigue Failure in Process Piping
• Valves of the Future

API Safe Tank Entry Workshop: October 23-24, 2017

Attendees learn the basics of ensuring safe tank entry and maintenance.

Topics Cover

• Tank decommissioning, isolation, degassing, safe tank entry, cleaning, return to service, and associated work
• An understanding of atmospheric monitoring, with instruction in the operation, calibration, and maintenance of field instruments that sample and analyze levels of oxygen, gases, and vapors.
• Attendees have the chance to calibrate and use the instruments

NFPA will award 0.7 Continuing Education Units for each day of instruction.

US EPA Courses: October 24, 2017

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) will host two half day presentations on October 24:

Preliminary Program - FRP Course - Available Soon

Preliminary Program - SPCC Course - Available Soon

• 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: USEPA Facility Response Plan (FRP) Course
• 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: USEPA SPCC Course

Mark Howard, US EPA OEM will discuss the inspector guidance for the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations (40 CFR part 112). Troy Swackhammer, US EPA OEM will discuss plan requirements for facilities covered by EPA's Facility Response Plan (FRP) regulation (40 CFR part 112). The USEPA will provide an overview of the SPCC guidance and FRP regulations along with examples and explanations helpful in understanding and applying the regulations and amendments. USEPA encourages interested parties to attend, including regulated facilities, SPCC/FRP consultants/planners, and any other persons involved with SPCC and/or FRP complicance. Conference registration required to attend.

API/STI-SPFA Storage Tank Fundamentals Course: October 24, 2017

This course is designed for inspectors, engineers, managers, and regulators who wish to increase their knowledge of storage tank facilities. 

Course Agenda

Course topics include:

• EPA’s SPCC Rule and the EPA’s inspection process
• New editions of SP001 and SP031
• API Standards Relevant to Terminal Operations and Why You Should Be Aware
• Changing the Service of an Aboveground Tank
• Tank entry and Fall Protection
• Equipment on tanks
• Tank modification case studies
• Tank terms quiz game

Sponsor and Exhibitor Application and Agreement

Exhibit Floorplan

Fax to 202-682-8222 

Exhibitor Registration

Additional Exhibitors can register here.

Deadline for registering your additional staff: 5:00 PM EST, October 6. After this date additional exhibitors must register onsite. Please identify your exhibit staff early! 

Note: Use this link to register only after your companies Sponsor/Exhibitor application has been accepted. The registration fee is $395. To be eligible for this rate, the additional Sponsor/Exhibitor must be a direct employee of exhibiting or sponsoring company. This fee includes full conference registration, including admission to all conference sessions October 25-26, exhibit area, and receptions. Note this does not include admission Safe Tank Entry Workshop, Tank Fundamentals, or EPA courses offered October 23-24, 2017. To attend those courses you must pay the full admission fee for those courses. Registration badges are not interchangeable; swapping or sharing of badges is not allowed.

Exhibitor Schedule at a Glance

Exhibit Booth Information

Freeman Exhibitor Kit and Additional Services Order Form

New discount order deadline: October 4, 2017

Freeman Online link

Exhibitors are responsible for providing their own AV. Electricity will be provided to all exhibitors, as well as free WiFi.

Each exhibitor will be provided a draped 10’ x 10' exhibit booth. Each booth includes two chairs and a garbage can. A company sign will be provided above your booth. One 120 volt electrical outlet will be provided at no charge, as well as complimentary WiFi. Note: Set up outside of the set up times listed above is strictly forbidden. No exhibitor badges or materials will be distributed outside of these times.

Exhibitors wishing to order additional AV services (i.e. renting a monitor) may contact Jonathan Pety, Director of Sales, PSAV, Sheraton Seattle at 206-219-3076 or jpety@psav.com.

Exhibitor Regulations

• All booth activities must take place within the confines of the assigned booth space.
• Booth activities deemed too disruptive may be discontinued at Show Management's discretion.
• All promotional activities and distribution of literature must take place within the confines of the assigned booth. Distribution outside of the confines of the booth, including all API and Sheraton Hotel public areas is strictly prohibited.
• If a booth noise level is particularly disturbing or disruptive, Show Management will direct that the noise be turned down.
• All speakers must face inward and not out towards the aisles or neighboring Exhibits. Exhibitors found in non-compliance, will be required to modify the direction of the speakers to a more suitable position.
• No element can impede the aisles; All demonstrations must take place within the confines of the assigned booth space.
• A maximum height of eight feet is allowed only in the rear half of the booth space, with a four foot height restriction on all materials (product or equipment) in the front half of the booth.
• All booths should be designed in such a way so as to eliminate line of sight obstructions from one exhibit to the next.
• Delivery or removal of any portion of an exhibit will not be permitted during exhibit hours

Exhibit Floorplan

Co-Sponsored By

Reservation Deadline: Monday, October 2, 2017 at 5:00 PM Pacific.

Avoid Housing Scams

Note: API has not contracted with any third party for hotel arrangements and will not call or email you directly to make housing arrangements on your behalf.

Should you receive a call or email from a third-party provider, please collect as much information as you can and let us know immediately. “Room Poachers” have been known to act as representatives of API, or authorized providers of API, to offer room discounts or alternative accommodations to our attendees – often to the attendee’s detriment. These companies are not affiliated with API, and reservations made through these companies for our meeting cannot be guaranteed.

How It Works

This deceptive practice (called “room poaching”) is carried out by third‐party companies that act as travel agencies, wholesalers, or even API to solicit registrants for room reservations. The poacher might inform registrants that the hotel room block is “sold out,” and that if you do not book with them immediately, you may not get a room. Room poachers make it more difficult for us to meet our room block commitments, and expose us to penalties and increased room rates for our events. Room poachers often don’t deliver on promises to customers. When customers arrive, reservations are non‐existent or the hotels are not conveniently located. Sometimes the rooms have been cancelled and hefty cancellation fees have been placed on the customer’s credit card.

Don’t Be Deceived

If you are contacted by anyone asking if you need a room for the API Conference, please get as much information as you can (their name, company name, phone number, etc.) and pass it along to registrar@api.org. Always make your room reservation directly with the information provided by API or a trusted source.

API will use all legal means possible to prevent these groups from operating.

Please contact registrar@api.org with any questions.