Trapped hydrostatic pressure wellhead oil and gas
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Published by SALUSToolbox Talk: Trapped Hydrostatic Pressure at the Wellhead
Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]
Objective
The objective of this toolbox talk is to educate workers on the hazards associated with trapped hydrostatic pressure at the wellhead, and to provide safe work procedures to mitigate the risks involved.
Introduction
Trapped hydrostatic pressure in wellheads can pose significant risks during oil and gas operations. This pressure, if released unexpectedly, can lead to serious injuries, equipment damage, and environmental incidents. It is crucial to understand the potential hazards and implement control measures to ensure a safe working environment.
Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to the topic.
Key Points
- Understanding Hydrostatic Pressure: Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a column of fluid due to gravity. In wellheads, this pressure can be substantial, especially in deep wells.
- Potential Hazards: Uncontrolled release of hydrostatic pressure can result in high-pressure fluid jets, equipment failure, and potential for serious injury or fatality.
- Importance of Control Measures: Implementing proper control measures, such as bleed-off valves and pressure testing, is essential to manage and mitigate the risks associated with trapped pressure.
- Safe Work Procedures: Following established safe work procedures ensures that tasks are performed in a controlled and safe manner, reducing the likelihood of incidents.
- PPE Requirements: Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) provides an additional layer of protection against potential hazards.
Hazard Identification
- High-Pressure Release: Sudden release of trapped pressure can cause high-pressure jets of oil, gas, or other fluids, leading to potential injuries [1].
- Equipment Failure: Excessive pressure can cause equipment failure, resulting in flying debris and potential impact injuries [1].
- Environmental Hazards: Uncontrolled release of fluids can lead to environmental contamination and potential regulatory fines.
Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.
Control Measures
- Elimination: Where possible, eliminate the source of pressure by using alternative methods or equipment.
- Engineering Controls:
- Administrative Controls:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Wear appropriate PPE, including eye protection, gloves, and protective clothing, to minimize exposure to potential hazards.
Safe Work Procedures
- Pressure Testing: Before commencing any work on the wellhead, conduct a hydraulic pressure test to verify the integrity of the lines and equipment 1, 3.
- Bleed-Off Procedures: Use the bleed-off valve to slowly release any trapped pressure before disassembling any components [2].
- Lockout/Tagout: Implement lockout/tagout procedures to ensure that the system is de-energized and cannot be accidentally pressurized during maintenance or repair [1].
- Monitoring: Continuously monitor pressure gauges to detect any unexpected pressure buildup [5].
- Communication: Maintain clear communication between all team members to ensure everyone is aware of the procedures and potential hazards [4].
Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
- Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses or face shields to protect against fluid splashes and debris.
- Gloves: Use chemical-resistant gloves to prevent skin contact with potentially harmful fluids.
- Protective Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing, such as coveralls, to minimize skin exposure.
[Emphasize the importance of proper PPE use and maintenance]
Real-World Example or Case Study
[Provide a detailed description of a relevant real-world scenario or case study]
[Discuss what went wrong or right, and the lessons learned]
Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.
Group Discussion
Discuss the following questions:
- What are some potential indicators of trapped pressure in a wellhead?
- What steps should be taken if unexpected pressure is encountered?
- How can we improve our current procedures to better manage the risks of trapped pressure?
Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.
Emergency Procedures
- Stop Work: If any uncontrolled release of pressure or other emergency situation occurs, immediately stop work and evacuate the area.
- Activate Emergency Response: Activate the emergency response plan and notify the appropriate personnel.
- First Aid: Provide first aid to any injured workers.
- Incident Investigation: Conduct a thorough incident investigation to determine the root cause and prevent future occurrences.
Questions and Answers
[Encourage participants to ask questions]
[Provide answers to common questions related to the topic]
- Q: What is the safe distance to maintain from the wellhead during pressure testing?
A: Maintain a distance of at least 7 meters from the wellhead or a greater distance if required to prevent ignition hazards [6].
- Q: How often should pressure relief devices be inspected?
A: Pressure relief devices should be inspected regularly and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications [3].
- Q: What type of training is required for workers involved in well servicing operations?
A: Workers should be trained in hazard awareness, safe work procedures, and the proper use of PPE [4].
Summary
- Trapped hydrostatic pressure at the wellhead poses significant risks.
- Proper control measures, including engineering and administrative controls, are essential.
- Safe work procedures must be followed to minimize the likelihood of incidents.
- Appropriate PPE must be worn to protect against potential hazards.
- Regular training and communication are crucial for maintaining a safe working environment.
Action Items
- Review and update existing well servicing procedures to incorporate the information discussed in this toolbox talk.
- Conduct a site-specific risk assessment to identify potential areas of trapped pressure.
- Ensure all workers are trained on the updated procedures and control measures.
Remember: Stay vigilant, follow procedures, and prioritize safety!
Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.
Safety powered by SALUS
Sources used for this answer
[1] Occupational Health and Safety Code
Page 304
Open source documentSource excerpt
- (i) piping from the discharge side of the pressure relief device is continuously sloped to drain fluids and protect fluids from freezing. 776 (2) An employer must ensure that pipes and fittings installed and maintained at a work site meet the requirements of ASME B1.20.1-2013 (R2018), Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch) , for threaded connections. 776 (3) An employer must ensure that a mud gun used for jetting is secured against unintended movement. 776 (4) If a downhole positive displacement pump is used in a wellhead, an employer must ensure that the pump is prevented from creating pressures that exceed the pressure rating of the piping and pumping system. 776 (5) An employer must ensure that no valve is closed on the discharge line of a positive displacement pump while the pump is in operation. 776 (6) A worker must not close a valve on a discharge line of a positive displacement pump while the pump is in operation. AR 191/2021 s776;242/2022;202/2024 ## Controlling pressure hazards 776.1 (1) An employer must ensure that a piping system is - (a) designed, installed and maintained to withstand the maximum anticipated pressures, - (b) tested when it is initially installed and after any modifications to it to verify that it can withstand the maximum anticipated pressures, and - (c) operated within maximum pressures referred to in clause (a). ## 776.1 (2) An employer must ensure that - (a) any hazardous energy that may be released from pressurized equipment is directed away from workers, or - (b) there is shielding, restraints or other controls in place to protect workers. 776.1 (3) If pressure in a piping system at the work site may exceed 3000 kilopascals, an employer must ensure that - (a) the piping system connections are welded, flanged or have hammer unions, or - (b) if the only connection on the wellhead is a threaded connection that is integral to the wellhead, the component parts of that threaded connection are compatible with each other. 776…
[2] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)
Page 227
Open source documentSource excerpt
## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Procedures for flare tips, etc. - 29-39 An employer, contractor or owner shall: - (a) prepare and implement written procedures to ensure the safety of workers in the lighting or operation of a flare tip, flare stack or flare line used at a worksite; and - (b) instruct all workers in the application of those procedures. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s29-39. ## Plan for well testing - 29-40 (1) An employer, contractor or owner shall develop and implement a written plan that establishes the procedures to be followed by workers who conduct well testing. - (2) A plan required by subsection (1) must include: - (a) the responsibilities, qualifications and minimum number of testing personnel; - (b) the requirements for personal protective equipment; and - (c) start-up and operating procedures that are adequate to protect the health and safety of the workers. - (3) An employer, contractor or owner shall have a copy of the plan required by subsection (1) readily available for reference by workers. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s29-40. ## Additional Protection for Electrical Workers ## Definitions for Part and Interpretation - 30-1 (1) In this Part: - 'approved' means approved as defined in The Electrical Inspection Act, 1993 ; - 'electrical equipment' means electrical equipment as defined in The Electrical Inspection Act, 1993 ; ## 'electrical worker' : - (a) in the case of work of electrical installation as defined in The Electrical Inspection Act, 1993 that is regulated by that Act, means a person who is authorized pursuant to The Electrical Licensing Act to perform that work; - (b) in the case of any work with electrical equipment that is not regulated by The Electrical Inspection Act, 1993 , means a person who is qualified to perform that work; 'guarded' means covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed or otherwise protected by suitable covers, casings, barriers, rails, screens, mats, platforms or other equally effe…
[3] Occupational Health and Safety Code
Page 306
Open source documentSource excerpt
- 780 (4) A worker must not be present in the cab of a vehicle while fluids are transferred to a tank on or attached to the vehicle. 780 (5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not apply if the engine of a vehicle must be running to operate the hydraulic or generator systems and the engine is equipped with a positive air shutoff system. - 780 (6) An employer must ensure that sandline flags are - (a) resistant to chemical damage and abrasion, - (b) illuminated during hours of darkness, and - (c) replaced if markings become worn off. ## Well servicing operations - 781 (1) This section applies to well servicing operations. - 781 (2) An employer must ensure that, in addition to section 166, - (a) when hydrocarbons are circulated through equipment or piping, the air intake and exhaust of the pump motor are located at least 7 metres away from the rig tank or a greater distance if required to prevent ignition hazards, and - (b) if a tank truck is being loaded or unloaded, the tank truck is - (i) located at least 7 metres from the rig tank or a greater distance if required to prevent ignition hazards, and - (ii) facing in a direction to prevent ignition hazards. 781 (3) An employer must ensure that, before fluids are unloaded into the wellhead, a hydraulic pressure test of the lines between the pump and the wellhead is performed to verify that all equipment is operating properly. 781 (4) An employer must ensure that the controls on oil savers can be readily operated by a worker on the rig floor. AR 191/2021 s781;242/2022;202/2024 ## Well stimulation - 782 (1) This section applies to well stimulation. - 782 (2) An employer must ensure that, if a working pressure of 2000 kilopascals or more is applied to a piping system, - (a) the area between and bordering a pump, a sand concentrator and the wellhead is established and clearly marked, - (b) all equipment can be controlled from outside the area established and marked under clause (a), and - (c) no worker enters the area estab…
[4] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)
Page 224
Open source documentSource excerpt
## S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (b) motors and engines that are not required in the testing operation are shut off; - (c) no motor vehicle is operated within 25 metres of the wellbore; - (d) if swivel joints are used in the piping system, the source and discharge ends of the piping system are secured in a manner that will prevent whipping and flailing of the pipe if the pipe separates from the source or discharge connection; - (e) if hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulphide may accumulate, hydrogen sulphide and hydrocarbon monitors are installed, with the readouts clearly visible to the driller on the derrick floor; - (f) the hydrogen sulphide monitor is capable of detecting hydrogen sulphide at a concentration of 14 milligrams per cubic metre of air, is calibrated and tested before use and is properly maintained; - (g) if hydrogen sulphide or hydrocarbons are found to be present at levels that may place a worker at risk, the formation fluids in the drill stem are replaced with drilling fluid and circulated to a flare pit or holding tank that is not less than 45 metres from the well; - (h) a tank level alarm that is clearly audible to the driller on the derrick floor or a tank level indicator is installed on the trip tank and is properly maintained; - (i) a tank level indicator mentioned in clause (h) has a read-out that is clearly visible to the driller on the derrick floor; and - (j) before tripping the drill pipe out of the hole, reverse circulation procedures are implemented. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s29-30. ## Swabbing 29-31 During swabbing operations using a well servicing rig, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that: - (a) fluids containing hydrocarbons that are used in or result from the swabbing operation are piped directly through a suitable degasser to a battery, skid tank, mobile trailer tank or tank truck located not less than 45 metres from the wellbore; and - (b) while fluids that are used in or result …
[5] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)
Page 225
Open source documentSource excerpt
## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (c) the tank truck is located on the far side of the rig tank from the wellbore and at a distance of not less than 6 metres from the rig tank during loading and unloading; - (d) carbon dioxide suction lines are secured to the supply vehicle and pumping unit; and - (e) adequate warning signs prohibiting the presence of workers are positioned along the discharge pipelines before pressurization begins. - (2) Before fluids are unloaded into a wellhead, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that the lines between the pump and the wellhead are: - (a) designed and constructed to sustain the maximum anticipated pressure during service; and - (b) hydraulically pressure tested at a pressure that is not less than 10% above the maximum pressure anticipated during service. - (3) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that: - (a) swivel joints used with a hammer union are properly secured and of sufficient strength to withstand the stresses to which the joints may be subjected; - (b) oil savers are equipped with controls that can be readily operated from the rig floor; and - (c) a bleed-off valve is installed between a check valve and the wellhead. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s29-32. ## Well stimulation - 29-33 (1) During well stimulation or any similar operation, an employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that: - (a) if a working pressure of 2 000 kilopascals or more is applied to the piping system, equipment located between a pump or sand concentrator and the wellhead is controlled remotely from a location outside the potential danger area; - (b) subject to subsection (2), no worker is required or permitted to enter the potential danger area while the system is pressurized; - (c) if liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen is being used, the pumping unit is designed and positioned so that the valve controls can be operated from the low pressure side of the system; - (d) a check valve…
[6] Occupational Health and Safety Code
Page 303
Open source documentSource excerpt
- (b) the rotary table is under the continuous control of a designated worker positioned at the rotary table controls, - (c) the area around the rotary table is clear of any equipment that may contact the rotating equipment, - (d) workers positioning slips or tongs remain clear of rotating equipment, - (e) all lines attached to rotary tongs are placed outside of the direct line of rotating slips, and - (f) any other hazard that may impact the health and safety of workers is controlled or eliminated. 773 (4) Prior to initiating or resuming drilling operations, an employer must ensure that all workers and equipment are positioned outside of the area marked in accordance with subsection (1)(a). AR 191/2021 s773;242/2022;202/2024 ## Rotary tong safety - 774 An employer must ensure that a rotary tong has - (a) a primary device that prevents unintended movement of the rotary tong, and - (b) a secondary device that prevents unintended movement of the rotary tong if the primary device fails. AR 191/2021 s774;242/2022;202/2024 ## Counterweights 775 An employer must ensure that a counterweight cannot come into contact with any worker. AR 191/2021 s775;242/2022;202/2024 ## Fluid pumping and piping systems 776 (1) An employer must ensure that when a positive displacement pump is used to pump incompressible fluids - (a) the positive displacement pump and its attachments have valves, pipes and fittings rated equal to or greater than the pump's maximum working pressure, - (b) the positive displacement pump is protected against freezing, - (c) except in the case of a pumping wellhead, a pressure relief device is installed on the discharge side of a positive displacement pump, - (d) a valve is not installed between the pressure relief device and the positive displacement pump, - (e) piping on the discharge side of the pressure relief device does not have a valve, - (f) if shear pins are used in a pressure relief device, they are of the design and strength specified in the …
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