Introduction — The Most Misunderstood Rule in Petroleum Trade

Every day, buyers demand:

• “Show me the POP now.”

• “Send DTA/SGS/Q&Q before TSA.”

• “Proof of product before any commitment.”

And every real petroleum seller — terminal client, refinery, or major trader — always responds:

“TSA first. POP later.”

Why?

Because POP (Proof of Product) is the highest-risk, highest-sensitivity documentation in the entire petroleum industry.

Releasing POP before TSA violates:

• terminal compliance

• insurance rules

• ISPS port security

• tank farm confidentiality

• anti-fraud protocols

• refinery corporate governance

This article explains exactly why legitimate sellers NEVER provide POP before TSA, and how buyers can understand the institutional logic behind this rule.

SECTION 1 — Understanding the Industry Reality Behind POP

1.1 POP is not “a document.” POP is a security-sensitive dataset

Real POP includes:

• TSA (Tank Storage Agreement)

• Tank number & terminal code

• Pipeline Injection Receipt

• SGS Q&Q report

• ATC (Authority to Load)

• Movement logs

• Batch numbers

• Vessel nomination (if TTT/TTV)

These documents reveal everything about the seller’s storage operations, including:

• their tank positions

• their inventory volumes

• their pipeline activity

• their shipping schedule

• their relationship with the terminal

Releasing this information without legal protection would be catastrophic.

1.2 POP contains privileged operational data

Real petroleum companies (ENOC, ADNOC, NNPC clients, Vopak clients, Vitol, Trafigura) treat POP as classified operational data because it directly exposes:

• storage strategy

• crude logistics

• pipeline flows

• operational security

• financial exposure

Leaks can result in:

• cargo theft

• tank hijacking attempts

• fake resales

• cyber-attacks

• terminal compliance violations

This is why POP is strictly locked behind TSA.

1.3 Fraudsters exploit buyer ignorance

Fake sellers will send:

❌ Fake SGS
❌ Fake TSR
❌ Fake Q&Q
❌ Fake pipeline receipt
❌ Fake “terminal confirmation”
❌ Fake ATC

Because they know buyers do not understand the institutional rules that govern real tank access.

Real sellers do the opposite:

✔ They protect POP
✔ They release POP only after TSA
✔ They follow terminal protocols
✔ They comply with port security

SECTION 2 — Official Industry Reason: TSA Is the Legal Foundation for POP

2.1 TSA = Legal storage contract

A TSA (Tank Storage Agreement) is:

• the contract between the seller and the terminal

• proof the seller legally stores petroleum

• the only document that proves tank access

• the foundation for any POP release

Without TSA, the terminal cannot legally disclose:

• tank numbers

• batch references

• ullage levels

• movement logs

Therefore:

👉 No TSA = No POP.
👉 POP before TSA = Fake.

2.2 POP before TSA violates ISPS Port Security Code

POP reveals:

• location of hazardous materials

• tank coordinates

• operational vulnerabilities

• access points

Under ISPS, terminals must protect:

• inventory data

• tank IDs

• operational logs

• pipeline movements

• restricted-access information

POP cannot be released without confirming:

• the buyer is legitimate

• the buyer has security clearance

• a legal relationship (TSA) exists

2.3 Terminal operators do NOT allow POP release before TSA

Terminals such as:

• Vopak (Rotterdam)

• VTTI (Fujairah / Rotterdam)

• Horizon / ENOC (Fujairah)

• Oiltanking

• Eurotank

do NOT authorize:

• SGS access

• DTA/UDTA

• tank coordinates

• pipeline data

• ullage reports

• Q&Q results

…without TSA in place.

If a seller releases POP before TSA → the document is fake or stolen.

SECTION 3 — NNRV Expert Analysis: The Real Logic Behind TSA → POP Sequence

Here is the institutional logic:

1️⃣ TSA proves that the seller is a real terminal client

Without TSA, the seller cannot legally store crude.

2️⃣ TSA authorizes buyer to inspect the product (via DTA/UDTA)

The terminal needs TSA to approve SGS entry.

3️⃣ TSA activates buyer’s security clearance at the terminal

Terminal assigns buyer a “recognized interest.”

4️⃣ TSA locks the tank under regulated commercial protection

Only then can terminal release:

• POP

• Q&Q

• injection receipts

• ullage data

5️⃣ TSA protects seller from fraudulent buyers

POP without TSA exposes seller to:

• theft

• re-routing

• fake buyers reselling his crude

• compliance breaches

6️⃣ TSA is the only legal basis for POP transfer

Terminal cannot work without TSA.

7️⃣ TSA triggers the POP release protocol

POP is typically released via data room:

1. TSA

2. DTA / UDTA

3. POP documents

4. SGS scheduling

5. DIP / Q&Q

6. Payment

7. Tank Take Over / TTT

This is the ONLY legitimate sequence.

SECTION 4 — Step-by-Step: Why POP Must Follow TSA (Not Before)

Step 1 — Buyer sends ICPO + KYC

Terminal screens buyer.

Step 2 — Seller submits TSA (redacted)

Confirms legal storage.

Step 3 — Terminal authorizes DTA/UDTA

Allows SGS access.

Step 4 — Buyer nominates SGS/Intertek

Inspection scheduling begins.

Step 5 — Terminal releases POP in secure portal

After verifying TSA.

Step 6 — DIP test / Q&Q

Independent analysis.

Step 7 — Payment (MT103 / TT / MT760)

Then title transfer / TTO / TTT.

POP appears only at Step 5.

Any POP offered before Step 5 is fraudulent.

SECTION 5 — 20 Questions Buyers & Sellers Ask

10 Buyer Questions

1. Can we receive POP before TSA? → No.

2. Is TSA always needed? → Yes for tanks.

3. Is POP before TSA ever real? → Never.

4. Can I identify tanks before TSA? → No.

5. Who issues TSA? → The terminal.

6. Can brokers get POP? → No.

7. What is the strongest proof? → TSA + DTA + injection receipt.

8. Does SGS confirm POP? → Yes after TSA.

9. What if seller sends POP early? → Fake.

10. Does TSA protect buyer? → Yes.

10 Seller Questions

1. Can I give POP early? → No.

2. Should I hide my tank numbers? → Until TSA is signed.

3. Can TSA be redacted? → Yes.

4. Is DTA enough? → No—needs TSA first.

5. Can buyers pressure early POP? → Serious buyers never do.

6. Should SGS work without TSA? → Impossible.

7. Can terminals release POP? → Only after TSA.

8. Does TSA show storage fee status? → Yes.

9. Can TSA be faked? → Yes—NNRV verifies.

10. Is TSA legally binding? → Yes.

SECTION 6 — Why These Rules Exist (Legal & Regulatory Framework)

POP is governed by:

• ISPS Port Security Code

• API MPMS petroleum measurement rules

• ISO 8217/3170/3171

• Terminal storage contracts

• Insurance and liability clauses

• SGS/Intertek protocols

This framework makes POP release before TSA illegitimate and illegal.

SECTION 7 — Professional CTA

📌 Need to confirm whether a POP, TSA, DTA, or tank farm document is real?

NNRV Trade Partners provides:

• TSA verification (Rotterdam, Fujairah, Houston, Jurong)

• POP authenticity review

• Terminal access validation

• Pipeline injection receipt verification

• SGS authorization checks

• Full tank/terminal due diligence

📩 info@nnrvtradepartners.com
🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com

Trust process, not documents.
Real POP never comes before TSA.

Mini FAQ (5 Quick Answers)

1. Can POP come before TSA?
   Never — institutional rule.

2. Why do fake sellers show POP early?
   To manipulate buyers who don’t understand compliance.

3. Who releases POP?
   Terminal (via seller), only after TSA.

4. Should buyers insist on POP early?
   Never — it signals inexperience.

5. How fast can NNRV verify real TSA/POP?
   24–72 hours.