Oilfield Equipment Guide: Storage Tanks, Separators & More for Alberta Operations

Choosing the Right Storage Tank Size

Storage tank selection is one of the most consequential decisions on any battery or central facility. Too small, and you risk production shut-ins when trucks can't haul fast enough. Too large, and you're paying unnecessary capital and land costs. In Alberta's Montney, Duvernay, and conventional plays, operators typically size tanks based on peak 24-hour production volumes plus a surge buffer of one to two days.

All of Inclusive Energy's storage tanks are built to API 12F, API 620, and API 650 design codes and are ABSA registered in Alberta. They're available for sweet and sour service, with internal epoxy coatings, external insulation, EnviroVault secondary containment, and heating options including fire-tube, glycol coil, and electric heat trace.

Other Key Equipment for Western Canadian Operations

A complete wellsite or battery typically requires more than just storage tanks. Separators, line heaters, treaters, and artificial lift equipment all play critical roles in getting oil and gas from the wellhead to the pipeline in saleable condition. Here's a brief overview of each equipment type and what to look for when sourcing new or used units in Alberta.

Buying vs. Renting Oilfield Equipment in Alberta

The right acquisition strategy depends on your project's expected life, your capital position, and how quickly you need the equipment on site. Short-term rental makes sense for appraisal wells and seasonal operations. Outright purchase delivers the lowest total cost of ownership on long-life assets. Rent-to-own bridges the gap by preserving cash in the early months while building toward ownership.

Inclusive Energy offers all five acquisition models under one roof — meaning you don't need to deal with a separate bank, leasing company, or fabricator. Our in-house financing program is specifically designed for oil and gas operators and doesn't require the same credit history thresholds as traditional lenders. Equipment can often be on site within days for rental units, or weeks for custom-fabricated orders.

What to Check When Buying Used Oilfield Equipment

The used oilfield equipment market in Alberta is large and active, but quality varies significantly. Before purchasing any used storage tank, separator, or process vessel, operators should verify the following: current ABSA registration status and inspection date, the most recent wall thickness ultrasonic testing (UT) results, evidence of prior sour service exposure and any associated H2S damage, the integrity of internal coatings and any cathodic protection systems, and whether the unit's data plate specifications match its intended service conditions.

Inclusive Energy maintains an inventory of inspected, certified, and reconditioned used equipment in addition to new fabrication. Every unit in our inventory is photographed, described accurately, and available for in-person inspection at our yards. We encourage buyers to bring their own inspectors. Our team can also source specific equipment not currently in stock through our established supplier network across Western Canada.