IRP 18: Fire and Explosion Hazard Management

IRP 18 Development Committee June 29, 2006

IRP 18 Rationale
A one size ts all solution does not exist. Site-specic strategies are needed. Improved training and awareness are required. Todays science cannot conclusively predict what is safe and what is unsafe.

How Does IRP 18 Serve Industry?

Provides a framework for the implementation of FEHM plans and procedures required to satisfy EUB Directive 033. Provides discussion of the Fire Triangle & Critical Risk Factors to improve ofce and eld hazard assessments. Outlines the roles and responsibilities for workers and organizations in managing F&E hazards. Stipulates training guidelines to help protect all Industry workers from F&E hazards.

Key Definitions
Fire Triangle: Theorem from re ghting that states that for res and explosions to propagate, they must have access to a fuel, an oxygen source, and sufcient energy. FEHM: Fire and Explosion Hazard Management Actions, procedures, and policies used by organizations and individuals to prevent the occurrence of and/or limit the exposure to unplanned res and explosions.

What Does IRP 18 Require of Industry?

Manage Fire & Explosion Risks Assess Fire & Explosion Hazards Prepare Written Fire & Explosion Plans Implement Fire & Explosion Prevention Plans

Assign responsibilities ID hazardous Select controls. to individuals and operations in design ID factors that impact corporations. phase; develop written control decisions. plans as needed. Provide Training Prepare a written Conduct eld Develop plan, re & explosion assessment using re identify scope and prevention plan. triangle and critical regulations. Review and conrm risk factors. Evaluate risk and plan w/ Operations. develop appropriate Complete formal risk assessment if needed. FEHM process.

Communicate plan. Implement plan; apply training. Monitor controls. Recognize and respond to change. Report and investigate close calls and incidents.

Expanded Fire Triangle

Energy & Ignition
Heat, electricity, static, friction, chemical reactions, spontaneous combustion, dieseling, pyrophors, sudden decompression, catalytic reactions

Oxygen & Air

Planned introduction of air, inadvertent introduction of oxygen, release of hydrocarbons into air, weathered uids, oxidizers

Fuels & Hydrocarbons

Heavy and light gases, hydrocarbon liquids and vapours, chemicals / lubricants/solvents, frac oils, ammable materials

8 Critical Risk Factors

Liquid hydrocarbons, ammable liquids, lower the energy required for ignition. H2S lowers the LEL and creates pyrophoric iron sulphides. Oil-based workover uids can absorb oxygen. Mixing chemicals can have unforeseen impacts. High pressures and temperatures can cause auto-ignition. Rapid pressure or temperature changes can trigger explosive events. Flowing explosive mixtures into closed systems brings the ingredients together and allows pressure to rise quickly. Pre-existing trapped air can complicate safe operations.

Controls
Fuel controls: purging, proper containment, and alternative uid selection. Oxygen controls: isolation equipment, warning systems, proper storage of chemicals, knowledge of LEL Energy controls: reduction of voltage, pressure, temperature, agitation; use of water and mists It is more difcult to control energy sources than it is to control fuel/oxygen sources.

Risk Assessment
Condent that all potential air OR fuel sources eliminated. Operations are well understood. Staff are trained per IRP 18 and are experienced. Signicant history of safe operations exists under nearly identical circumstances. Fire triangle may exist; condent that critical risk factors dont. Operations are well understood. Staff are trained and experienced. Fire triangle may exist. One or more risk factors may be present. Well conditions/operations not well understood. New or poorly understood operations/technologies. History of incidents under similar circumstances.

Improbable

Possible

Probable

Procedures Required
Incorporation of FEHM content in current safety procedures, including pre-job safety meetings and hazard assessments. Improbable Work-site and equipment inspections. Worker qualication reviews. Alertness for barriers/controls failure. Those above, plus: Reusable FEHM-specic hazard assessments. Alertness for changing conditions/ingredients. MSDS/TDG document review. Safe work permits.

Possible

Those above, plus: Detailed, site-specic FEHM plans prepared prior to operations. Probable Documented risk assessment completed. Documentation available to all at the work-site.

F&E Prevention Plans

Focus on operations that require special attention:

Oxygen sources are purposely added to a system, particularly where high pressure or ammable uids/hydrocarbon liquids are present. Oxygen could inadvertently enter a closed system. Ignition sources are introduced into hazardous areas.

Typical operations to Review?

Air v. N2 assisted coiled tubing cleanouts Pulling tubing plugs after snubbing operations (slickline work) Retrieval of WRPs between deep and shallow gas zones Purging of BOP equipment Oil-based fracturing uids Leaving wells on vacuum overnight

F&E Prevention Plans

Plans must:

Describe the work to be conducted. List fuel, oxygen, and energy sources that may be in the system. List required controls based on the components identied. Conrm that workers are trained on relevant hazards, site-specic prevention plans, and emergency procedures.

FEHM Process Stages

What can go wrong? Fuel source Oxygen source Ignition source Preventive Controls Equipment design and barriers, training, plans/procedures

Stage 1: Assess F&E Hazards

Stage 2: ID Need for Site-Specic Prev. Plan

What are you doing?

Stage 3: Evaluate & Choose Controls

Stage 4: Develop & Implement Prev. Plan

Protective Controls

Stage 5: Monitor Effectiveness & Revise

Incident experience Planned Operations Equipment

Alarms & detection, emergency equipment/ procedures

Corporate Roles
Raise awareness of this IRP. Train personnel in FEHM to IRP 18 requirements. Establish and implement a FEHM process. Assess competency and ensure compliance. Support those who ID unsafe work.

Supervisor Roles
Complete Fire & Explosion Training; ensure co-workers have done the same. Implement Hazard ID and controls. Challenge those not working safely. Encourage reporting of unsafe work.

Worker Roles
Complete Fire & Explosion Training. Carry out Fire & Explosion Prevention Plans, Procedures, and Controls. Report Fire & Explosion Hazards. Assist inexperienced co-workers. Challenge those not working safely. Report unsafe work.

Training Requirements
Basic-level training: (workers)

Expanded Fire Triangle and Critical Risk Factors Controls Communications Additional detail on fuels, oxygen sources, energy sources F&E Prevention Plan Development Management of Change

Advanced: (designers, supervisors and management)

Corporations may train staff internally, via ENFORM, or with the assistance of knowledgeable third-parties

IRP 18: Fire and Explosion Hazard Management