How can you reduce the risk of fires in oil production?

Flammable gases, such as well gases, vapors, and hydrogen sulfide, can be released from wells, trucks, production equipment or surface equipment such as tanks and shale shakers. Ignition sources can include static, electrical energy sources, open flames, lightning, cigarettes, cutting and welding tools, hot surfaces, and frictional heat. Flammable gases, liquids, and dust are prevalent in the oil and gas industry, especially in high-pressure environments like gas pipelines, tanks, and vessels. Pumps, pressure vessels, and water heaters can all malfunction, increasing the risk of fire or explosion.

The heirarchy of Risk control applies here. As a general principle. However for Oil and Gas installation more sophisticated tools are used i.e. HEMP Process, LOPA, Studies in design stage in addition to HAZOP & QRA.

Effective ventilation maintains a safe oxygen level, reduces the concentration of flammable gases or vapors, and minimizes the likelihood of an explosion. Implementing electrical safety protocols can prevent electrical faults. Inert gas purging displaces flammable gases by replacing air with inert gases like nitrogen or carbon dioxide in equipment and storage tanks.

Here also, LOPA and HEMP apply, separation distances and dispersion, fire and explosion. Reactivity matrices are used to identify and demarcate the different process fluids and material used based on LEL, VCE and BLEVE scenarios.

Administrative controls focus on safety policies and procedures, as well as providing the necessary training to workers. This may involve conducting safety meetings or toolbox talks, implementing a buddy system, or designating a safety officer for the worksite. In oil rigs, fixed explosion detection systems like flame and gas detection use infrared and ultraviolet sensors, triggering alarms for evacuation. Point gas detection systems, also fixed, use sensors at specific locations for detection. Portable systems with electrochemical sensors are used for on-the-spot gas presence checks, triggering alarms when needed.

F&G systems are designed to detect flammable gases and liquid leaks with facility equipped with ESD systems and fire suppression systems which vary in application and usage based on the hazardous area classification and fluids. All supported by various instruments and logic safety devices i.e. PRV etc. To eliminate/minimise/prevent the leak events.

These controls are very mitigative and comes after the event, to minise the impact and consequences as mainly life saving and reduce the loss of equipment and further damage. Passive and Active fire system to be implemented.

Learning from incidents and identifying the root causes through proper RCA methodologies are key in order to have proper recommendations and actions required to prevent recurrance of such events, specially the LOPC PSE.