High-risk areas demand continuous monitoring

Dealing with highly-combustible gases in the upstream, midstream, or downstream segments in the oil and gas industry requires intense knowledge of risk management. On both onshore and offshore refineries, these gases can explode when exposed to high temperatures. Hence refineries must adhere to stringent regulations. Gas detectors are installed in specific places. They allow for the continuous monitoring of the release of harmful gases in a controlled manner. They can also detect gas leaks to trigger safety protocols when needed.

“Thermo Fisher Scientific’s wide range of gas detection products make it simple and convenient to meet your work site’s needs, helping to reduce gas threats to your industrial plant, your employees and people living nearby. Our product experts are on hand and ready to help you find the best solution. They range from a simple portable single-gas detector to a fixed multi-gas monitoring system,” said Nick Taylor – Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific

On the other hand, the challenge for the mining industry is different. They need to detect the presence of flammable and toxic gases like methane, hydrogen sulphide and asphyxiants before they become dangerous. Asphyxiants displace oxygen from mines and can quickly suffocate workers without much warning. Gas monitoring systems help detect these gases and reduce health risks for workers.

Why continuous monitoring matters for different industries

Every environment presents a specific type of risk. Safety managers need to match the right gas detectors with the degree of risk in a specific area. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of sites, their risks, and where their high-risk areas are most likely to be located.

Oil drilling sites

A high concentration of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is typically found near the driller stand, blow-out preventer, mud tank and shale shaker. Combustible, hazardous gases are present at primary, secondary and tertiary oil recovery sites, making it imperative to install gas detectors to safeguard personnel and equipment and ensure continuity of operations.

Mining sites

Timely detection of hazardous gases is a constant challenge on mining sites. The production of various minerals brings harmful by-products, which pose a potential threat to the people working in mines. Generally, mining sites use a tube bundle system for remote monitoring of samples drawn from mines and underground telemetric monitoring systems to alert for sudden events. Another essential place to monitor for gas hazards is near the ventilation shaft.

Oil and gas processing plants

The conversion of gas to liquid for ease of transportation happens at oil and gas processing plants—these plants house highly explosive and toxic materials. There are several high-risk and congested points at such plants, including reactors, turbines, distribution pipelines and valves. Any failure in these areas can be catastrophic. Each of these high-risk areas needs to be fitted with gas detectors that send out alerts in the form of audible horns and flashing lights.

Gas compressor Stations

Gas must be pressurised at compressor stations during transportation by pipeline every few kilometres. Compressor stations should be equipped with gas detectors that cover the compressors, pumps, and valves to ensure comprehensive coverage. Continuous monitoring can minimise the risk of gas leaks and spills of hydrocarbon gases and Hydrogen Sulphide.

Turbines and power generation

Dedicated turbines and power generation units onshore and offshore oil and gas plants generate energy energy. They are built to function even during plant shutdowns to avoid damage to the turbine. Usually, there are multiple turbines installed in a single structure due to the high power consumption at oil and gas plants. Hydrogen is used as a coolant to reduce the high temperature resulting from continuing turbines’ operations, adding to the risk as hydrogen is highly flammable and an asphyxiant.

With the high temperature, moving parts, oil and fuel used in turbines, even the smallest of leaks in turbine enclosures and generator rooms are deemed high-risk. These plants are often located in remote areas, affecting emergency response time. This makes a strong case for continuous monitoring to prevent and minimise damage to equipment and ensure personnel safety.

Oil refineries

Downstream oil refining facilities process natural gas and crude oil to make them into finished products ready for distribution. Constant hydrogen generation is required to provide a continuous supply, and catalytic dust is formed during thermal and catalytic cracking and coking processes. The process of desalting also results in by-products such as hydrochloric acid and other corrosive materials. It will result in the presence of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) in the form of ammonium hydrosulphide (NH4HS) in the wastewater streams.

This is why continuous monitoring using gas detectors is required to prevent employees’ exposure to toxic gases, reduce corrosion and reduce environmental pollution.

Offshore oil rigs

The well bay, process areas, power and drilling, and personnel accommodation are nearby due to space constraints on oil rigs. Due to the proximity of the modules, continuous monitoring of hazardous emissions is mandatory. Candidates for constant gas monitoring include oil de-watering plants, gas compressors, accommodation blocks, turbines, power skids, wellheads, battery rooms and bottle gas stores. Gas detectors used in the marine environment must be made from anti-corrosive materials due to the highly corrosive nature of the occupational environment.

Storage farms

Storage tanks are connected through pipes and valves, so they must be continuously monitored for leaks and emissions. While tracking these storage farms, we are looking for hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and combustible hydrocarbon leaks, which can be hazardous to the safety of personnel and equipment.

Railway loading platforms and truck filling stations

Raw material, petrochemicals and refined fuels must be transported from drilling sites, mines, processing plants, and storage farms for processing commercial or retail distribution. During transportation, the gas/oil is compressed and stored. These highly combustible products require constant monitoring during transport and at the railway loading platforms and truck filling stations to detect fugitive emissions.

Floating production storage units

Generally, hydrogen sulphide accumulates around processing areas near floating production storage vessels. Floating production storage units are located above the main vessel deck to separate hydrocarbons and oil safely. So, again we need to continuously monitor the floating production storage units to avoid incidents due to hydrogen sulphide accumulation.

Other work areas may also need continuous monitoring to protect those working there and the plant/work site infrastructure from threats.

Consult Thermo Fisher Scientific to understand and evaluate your work site challenges, build a robust gas detection program, and select gas detectors that best fit your occupational environment’s safety requirements.