Anyone planning to construct a crude oil or refined petroleum products storage depot in Kenya must first obtain a construction permit from EPRA. This covers primary and secondary storage depots, including those built to support pipeline operations, import terminals, or strategic reserve facilities.
Fee Summary Table
| Item | Fee / Charge |
|---|---|
| Storage depot construction permit application fee | None — EPRA charges no fee for petroleum construction permits |
| Application review timeline | Within 45 calendar days of a complete application |
| Permit validity to commence works | 24 months from date of issuance |
| Application channel | EPRA Online Services Portal |
Source: EPRA petroleum construction permit framework and the Petroleum (Midstream Crude Oil and Natural Gas Pipeline and Storage Operations) Regulations, 2025.
What You Need
- Tank farm design drawings showing capacity, bunding, and fire safety provisions
- Site plan and proof of land ownership or lease
- NEMA EIA licence, given the high-risk nature of bulk fuel storage
- Kenya Bureau of Standards compliance documentation for tank construction
- Company registration and tax compliance documents
Why Storage Depots Draw Extra Scrutiny
Because storage depots present significant fire, spillage, and contamination risk, EPRA reviews them closely against Kenya Standards and international codes (ISO, ASME, API) where local standards are silent. The fee-free construction permit should not be read as a lighter compliance burden — depot projects typically face more rigorous technical vetting than smaller facilities, even though no permit charge applies.
The construction permit itself won’t cost you anything in EPRA fees, but a crude or product storage depot is one of the more heavily scrutinised petroleum facility types. Strong engineering documentation submitted up front is the real way to keep your 45-day review on track.
