Question

The Oil and Gas (O&G) industry is by its nature a high risk industry. The industries’ products, hydrocarbons produced and transported, supply the world market with substantial amounts of fuel and raw product for a number of industrial activities. Therefore the O&G industry handles large quantities of flammable and hazardous substances in the high energy environment encountered subsurface with high pressure and temperature scenarios, explosion prone environment, electrical hazard, falling hazards, and mechanical structure failure. In some cases the risk situation is complicated by a highly toxic gaseous by- product - hydrogen sulfide (H2S). These high energy situations and severe forces call for highly developed Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Management Systems and Cultures. Despite the high-performance risk control approach the O&G industry has implemented, the industry has seen a number of major accidents with extensive consequences. A major accident involving hydrocarbons puts at stake the lives of personnel working at the site, the life and health of populations in neighbouring communities. Based on your understanding and what you study in the course answer the following questions: a. How chemical hazard is considered as major risk to oil and gas industry and what are the causes of it? (risks – 2.5 marks, causes – 2.5 marks)

Answer 1

One of the best example to explain this situation is leakage of these material in sea water. some times due to accidents oil and gas may leak to ocean water and it may cover large area of ocean due to which aquatic plant and aquatic life started dying within short period of time. in 90s it was a major problem for oil and gas industry to clean that area of water so, scientist developed a oil eating micro organism (Alcanivorax borkumensis) which have capability to eat oil and when this situation arises these bacteria may left at that places which started consuming the oil before the aquatic life can get affected.

so, chemical hazard is considered as major risk in oil and gas industry because these hazard may problem to the workers life and may be hazardous for environment which may affect the whole community. the mazar causes of explosion of these hazardous chemicals are given below-

1. O&G supply Vehicle Collisions

oil and gas are very sensitive material as it may explode and may dangerous for public if does not taken care with the movement of it so our prime aim should be to supply the oil and gas to the destination with extreme care

2. Struck-By/ Caught-In/ Caught-Between

every parcel is designed for a certain period of time. but if it struck in between then it may causes problem to surroundings

3. Explosions and Fires

oil and gasses are highly explosive material

4. Falls

5. Confined Spaces

6. Ergonomic Hazards

7. High Pressure Lines and Equipment

8. Electrical and Other Hazardous Energy

9. Machine Hazards

10. Planning and Prevention