Driving past an Amoco station today, I saw three or four massive tanks sitting at the edge of the property that weren't there before. They were cylindrical with rounded ends, somewhere between a semi-trailer and a rail car in size (based on a fleeting glimpse), a dull primer-type red in color. A few theories:

1. The station is getting ready to replace its underground tanks. I have no idea if this is what they look like. But would they get the new ones before even starting to dig?

2. The station is stocking up for the pre-rollover rush, figuring the supply lines will be overwhelmed.

3. The station is expecting supply chain breakdowns after rollover. It would be an interesting strategy. Buy at pre-rollover wholesale prices, sell at post-rollover retail. If things get too dicey, let the tanks run dry, take a handsome profit and go home.

Does any of this make sense? If they're expecting trouble, would the station owner be acting alone or under the auspices of Amoco? Seems like an expensive proposition for the tanks and the gas to fill them. Any other theories on what's up here?

In case any other posters/lurkers live in the neighborhood, the station is on Route 31 in Clinton, next to Clinton Ford, across from the Shop-Rite.

-- Thinman (thinman38@hotmail.com), October 27, 1999

Answers

My best guess would be they're doing a needed tank replacement and nothing more. Based upon either site economics or old tanks needing replacement. There is much apathy and indifference to Y2K among the oil industry. Unfortunately they bought into Kosky's shit way to far.

Feds required old tanks to be replaced last year that weren't cathodically protected or up to snuff. Could be this place is just getting around to it. Don't get to excited.

-- Gordon (g_gecko_69@hotmail.com), October 27, 1999.

Thinman,

Don't know about tanks next to gas stations but I did see in Old Tappan this week a Summit Banks with two basement-style oil tanks next to it in front of the building. They looked like they were 'installed ' (ie, they had footings and piping) and not just waiting to be installed. And I do know they were not there last month when I went by.

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), October 28, 1999.

By the way, don't put too much stock in my size estimate. As I said, it was based on a fleeting glimpse, across a highway, with no good reference points near the tanks.

-- Thinman (thinman38@hotmail.com), October 28, 1999.

Stop in at the Amoco station and ask them.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), October 28, 1999.

Ditto on Gordo's assessment. One wouldn't be able to easily or economically 'splice in' additional tankage into your current lines, pumps, and dispensers. With recent environmental regs there's alot of new and replacement work going on. It would not be unusual for the station to wait for the new tanks before digging up the old ones. I'll bet if you go by there in the near future you'll see the digging and replacement work in progress.

Good luck. Just like back in the 70's the Northeast would get the brunt of any pending rollover shortages.

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), October 28, 1999.

Thanks, Gordon and Downstreamer, that makes sense. It's an old station, probably needs the new tanks. I'd just never seen what they looked like, and it definitely made me do a double take.

-- Thinman (thinman38@hotmail.com), October 28, 1999.