In explosive (Ex) atmospheres, dangers are ubiquitous. Employees in oil refineries, drilling rigs, gas pipelines and coal mines work in hazardous environments and Ex areas.
The consequences of poor safety and lax hazardous area protection measures are severe. The world is no stranger to the many oil disasters that have wreaked havoc on ocean life and the coastlines of several countries.
The most infamous oil rig explosion happened in 2010, when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig off the coast of Louisiana in the US exploded as a result of a malfunctioning blowout preventer. The subsequent inferno on the platform killed 11 crew members and wounded hundreds more. After burning uncontrollably for 36 hours, it eventually sank.
More recent history also provides examples of the toll of preventable oil-and-gas disasters. In August 2020, a series of explosions at Beirut’s port leveled parts of the city, killed at least 200 people, injured 5,000 others, and displaced approximately 300,000. According to reports, the explosion was sparked by a fire caused by welding operations on the warehouse building.
The magnitude of the explosion was attributed to the improper storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at a port facility since 2013.
Hazardous Area Protection in Offshore Oil-and-Gas Facilities
Both the Beirut and Deepwater Horizon accidents demonstrate that extreme caution must be used when dealing with potentially flammable or explosive material in order to ensure lives are protected.
There are a variety of safety procedures and hazardous area protection measures that are put in place in oil-and-gas facilities to reduce the chance of an explosion and associated damages.
Numerous mechanical components are placed on oil rigs to avoid explosions caused by high pressure and other reasons. For example, blowout preventers are used to regulate pressure changes on a rig complete with back-ups to mitigate equipment failure.
Maintaining all machinery and safety equipment properly is critical for preventing accidents. Small technical failures such as from a broken pressure gauge or an improperly screwed bolt might result in calamity. Digital oil and gas solutions such as software and systems should be deployed to ensure proper monitoring and timely assessments.
Furthermore, the constant exposure to seawater and other environmental elements may cause quick deterioration of equipment and components. Proper hazardous area inspection, examination and regular maintenance of all equipment and gear can detect a possible problem before a significant accident can occur.
Safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, flame-resistant (FR) clothing, hearing protection, safety glasses and shoes, and other essential gear should be adequately supplied with proper training and instruction for proper usage.
A fire protection control system that incorporates an IECEx-certified flameproof control station should be put in place to assure that the firefighting system will operate effectively and reliably in the event of an emergency.
Training is also critical in avoiding and reacting to accidents. Employees must understand how to operate machinery properly, how to detect faults or equipment failures, and how to react in an emergency. Protocols for evacuation, lines of communication, and other quick response tactics can make the difference between panic on board and a successful effort to minimise damage and save lives.
Cutting corners or omitting any of these hazardous area inspection measures risks endangering lives and the entire facility itself. In the event of an explosion, any disregard for mandatory precautions may result in legal liability or difficulties in insurance claims. Therefore, these essential measures must be put in place.
