Piloting a Modern Approach to Tank Inspection
Case Study
A national fuel retailer with multiple U.S. stores found inner wall breaches and tank deflections at two of their stores. Despite no product releases, they became concerned about potential systemic issues, particularly after adding diesel tanks to existing gasoline tank setups.
They were committed to inspecting their entire national tank inventory but knew that would be a large investment. They wanted to ensure that the inspection process was both as efficient as possible and capable of delivering definitive answers on whether the tanks required repair or replacement. Understanding the structural integrity of their underground storage tanks could prevent costly failures and disruptions to site operations.
Traditional inspection methods required extensive tank preparation, confined space entry through a manway, and manual tape measurements — a process that was slow and prone to missing geometric anomalies.
There had to be a better way…
They partnered with us on a 10-store pilot program that used 3D scanning technology to kick off their preventive tank inspection initiative. The pilot locations were selected based on a suspicion that new tank installations were contributing to tank stress. By capturing the entire tank geometry, 3D scanning would enable early detection of deflections or other issues in the tank.
The Issues Identified
+ Tank wall breaches at two locations
+ Deflections observed in multiple tanks
+ Uncertainty about whether new tank installations were contributing to tank stress
Recognizing the need for a proactive solution, the client launched a preventive tank inspection program across 10 strategically selected stores. The goal was to assess tank health while minimizing operational disruption.
Key Features of the Program
- No manned entries to avoid operational interruptions
- Fuel court remained open during inspections
- Five tanks per site inspected in a single day
- Coordinated with a third-party site lead and safety personnel
With Swiftrok, the program succeeded in capturing data for 41 tanks across 10 stores within a 3-week period, with TankIQ Results being delivered in the following weeks. TankIQ Results covered tanks of various ages and configurations to capture a comprehensive view of system health.
The Result?
Confirmed
New diesel tank additions were not causing deflection in adjacent tanks
Developed
New diesel tank additions were not causing deflection in adjacent tanks
Enabled
Predictive monitoring for future maintenance planning
Created
System reliability without requiring intrusive methods
Data-driven, proactive asset management in the fuel retail sector is crucial. By anticipating issues and embracing minimally disruptive 3D scanning technologies, the client demonstrated how a forward-looking strategy can mitigate risk, safeguard environmental integrity, and reduce long-term costs.
How does TankIQ work?
We utilize 3D scanning technology to capture the current state your tank(s) while on site. Once data is remotely uploaded our team utilizes the point cloud data to create a digital model of the inside of the tank, that model is then used to generate the TankIQ Results which is used by customers to analyze its condition without relying on manual measurements or visual checks.