SPE 170393
Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour
Gas Fields: A Case Study from the Middle East
Anthony Onerhime, Schlumberger, Andy Kveps and Elie Daher, United Safety
Slide 2
The Challenge of Sour Gas
Hydrogen sulfide attacks the respiratory and central
nervous systems of the victim, resulting in death at
about 1000 ppm. Oil and gas projects in the Middle
East can encounter H2S up to 400,000 ppm.
Prevent exposure by implementing:
• Mechanical and procedural measures
• Early warning detection and notification systems
• Breathing protection measures for personnel in the
event of a release
Slide 3
ANSI Z10-2012 Recommendation
1
2
3
4
• Anticipate, identify, and evaluate hazardous
conditions and practices.
• Develop hazard control designs, methods,
procedures, and programs.
• Implement, administer, and advise others on hazard
controls and hazard control programs.
• Measure, audit ,and evaluate the effectiveness of
hazard controls and hazard control programs.
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields: A Case
Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert & Anthony Onerhime
Slide 4
Safety Gap
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields: A Case
Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert & Anthony Onerhime
Slide 5
Closing Gaps Through Innovation
Marketplace
Gap
Seek
expertise
Innovate
Apply
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields: A Case
Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert & Anthony Onerhime
Slide 6
Solution: Gas Detection and Alarm
Gas detection and alarm system
including dashboard panel
Gas Detection
System
• Integrated internal and external
toxic gas detection
• External audio and visual alarm
• Touch Screen Passenger Interface
 Onscreen vital information
 Display of gas levels and
alarms
 Records of alarms and events
Respiratory
Evacuation
Protection
system
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields:
A Case Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert
Slide 7
Solution: Onboard Respiratory
Protection System
Photos Courtesy of United Safety
Onboard Respiratory Protection System
compliant with NIOSH air flow specifications.
Gas Detection
System
• Air for five people for one hour
• Compact lightweight footprint
for minimal storage space
• Rapid deployment air mask
• Optional air line configuration
Respiratory
Evacuation
Protection
System
SPE 170393
• Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields:
A Case Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert
Slide 8
Solution: Air Supply Module
• Protects occupants
while allowing visibility
and mobility
• Safe work procedure
and training developed
to ensure proper use
• Continuous status of
air supply and gas
Gas Detection
System
Respiratory
Evacuation
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges
of Operating in Sour Gas Fields:
Protection
system
A Case Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert
Slide 9
Vehicle Gas Protection System
Athira to insert Air Qruise pic from User
Manual with label of features
Gas Detection
System
Respiratory
Protection System
Evacuation
Slide 10
Deployment
• 20 VGPS deployed
(in field or production)
• Adapted to other
environments
• Prototypes prepared
for innovative
applications
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields:
A Case Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert & Anthony Onerhime
Slide 11
Conclusion
 Successful innovation and gap closure through
collaboration
 Solution initially deployed in two-crew transportation
vehicles in the field, with another 20 in production
 Increased worker confidence
 Field test-proven robust system for the unique challenges
of the Middle East oilfield
 Investigating development in other areas of application.
SPE 170393 • Addressing Safety Challenges of Operating in Sour Gas Fields:
A Case Study from the Middle East • Mike Gilbert & Anthony Onerhime
Slide 12
Works Cited
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ADTSR). 2012. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) CAS 7783-0604; UN 1053.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg114.pdf (downloaded 5 July 2014).
Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). 2014. Safety and Sour Gas.
http://www.aer.ca/rules-and-regulations/by-topic/public-safety-and-sour-gas (downloaded 10 July 2014).
American Petroleum Institute (API). 1995. Recommended Practice 55 for Oil and Gas Producing and Gas Processing Plant Operations
Involving Hydrogen Sulfide. http://www.techstreet.com/products/25561#jumps (downloaded 28 May 2014).
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). 2012. ANSI/AIHA/ASSE Z10-2012 American National Standard for Occupational Health &
Safety Management Systems.
http://www.asse.org/shoponline/products/Z10_2012.php(downloaded 28 May 2014).
Beauchamp R.O. Jr., Bus, J.S., Popp, J.A., Boreiko, C.J. and Andjelkovich, D.A. 1984. A critical review of the literature on hydrogen sulfide
toxicity. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 13:25–97.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6378532 (downloaded 5 July 2014).
Canadian Centre for Energy Information, 2004. Evolution of Canada’s Oil and Gas Industry.
http://www.centreforenergy.com/documents/403.pdf (downloaded 5 July 2014).
Engineering Resource. 2007. Sour gas—a history of expertise.
http://engineering-resource.com/Files/sour-gas_2007.pdf_br (downloaded July 6, 2014).
Guidotti, T.L. 1996. Hydrogen Sulphide. In Occup. Med. Vol. 46, No. 5. 367–371.
http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/5/367.full.pdf (downloaded 18 July 2014).
Slide 13
Acknowledgements / Thank You / Questions
Mike Gilbert
Vice President, Middle East/ Asia
United Safety International
Quality & Innovative Safety Solutions
P.O. Box 500582 Office Park Building,
3rd Floor Block A, Dubai Media City, UAE
T: +971 4 369 5075
C: +971 55 898 0543
GilbertM@unitedsafety.net
Anthony Onerhime
UAE QHSE Manager
Schlumberger Technical Services, Inc.
Al Masood Tower, 16th Floor
P.O.Box 21, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Main Telephone: +971 2 633 3600
Main Fax: +971 2 634 9415
Direct: +971 2 610 1224
Mobile: +971 566 879 101
oonerhime@slb.com