Energy DIVISiON
Energy DIVISiON
JLT risk engineering ‘ risk control at oil and gas properties ’ guidelines .
Fire prevention and loss control are methods used to reduce the occurrence of losses and to minimize the extent of the effects of a fire or explosion . It naturally follows that this procedure also serves to minimize exposure to personnel which is inherent in the nature of the materials being handled or processed . In the case of oil and gas , the materials are often highly flammable and readily form explosive mixtures in air . Impurities are often toxic , corrosive or erosive which tends to further increase the hazard to personnel and can cause deterioration of equipment .
The effects of climatic extremes on personnel and equipment must be considered along with the fact that production equipment may operate unattended for considerable periods of time in areas where access may be difficult under adverse conditions .
It is extremely important that knowledge of operating procedures be imparted to all persons operating the facilities as many losses can be attributed to human error or failure to fully evaluate the effects of improper operation or modification of equipment for the sake of apparent expediency , especially when faced with the pressures of maintaining production .
JLT Risk Engineering has produced guidelines based on experience gained from a review of design criteria and field surveys of oil and gas production facilities .
The circumstances particular to each installation should be evaluated and protective measures adopted accordingly . This booklet cannot deal with every specific situation but should serve as a basic guide for most cases . Equipment and layout designs may change but the application of principles outlined should help maintain a satisfactory standard of safety .
Equipment failure due to severe operating conditions or inadequate maintenance is one of the most common starting points for the sequence of events that results in a fire or explosion . If adequate precautions are taken in design , construction and operations the possibility of fire or explosion damage and subsequent loss of production can be minimized .