HSE guidelines SNATURAL GASCONDENSATE

April 2017

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Work safely or don’t work at all

There are strict procedures when working on installations and systems. After all, there’s a risk for hazardous substances to be released. Therefore read the Permit to Work carefully and check if the described control measures have been taken. Then take the precautionary measures which belong to your job.

Always be alert to prevent hazardous substances from being released. When in doubt: always ask or stop working!

Speaking the same clear language regarding Health, Safety and Environment, and harmonisation of regulations by focusing primarily on agreements between companies and contractors.

That is the goal the member parties of HSElife NL pursue.

As well as the information that has already been harmonised, location and company-specific information also applies. Ask for it!

Note: Check please at hselifenl.com/en/hse-items if you are using the latest version!

NATURAL GAS CONDENSATE

Natural gas condensate is a by-product of gas extraction and gas production and contains benzene, among other things. It is a mixture of hydrocarbons that occurs at every production installation. Natural gas condensate is comparable to petrol. Natural gas condensate, derived from sour gas locations, has a different composition than that of fresh gas sites. In both cases it is flammable and explosive. It’s also harmful to health and to the environment. This means that maximum care and alertness are required at all times!

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NATURAL GAS CONDENSATE

NATURAL GAS CONDENSATE

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WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF NATURAL GAS CONDENSATE?

• Highly flammable liquid and vapour• Toxic, can cause cancer• Asphyxiating/anaesthetizing *)• Harmful to the environment

*) Natural Gas Condensate vapor (hydrocarbon) has an anaesthetizing effect from a certain concentration. The effect depends on the dose and concentrations and may occur very quickly (within two to three breaths).This may result in confusion and the inability to make the right decisions and eventually loss of consciousness and death. Using only an oxygen meter is not sufficient. Alarm of the gas meter (at 10% Lower Explosion Limit) must lead to the correct action: immediate evacuation / use of independent respiratory protection.

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PERSONALPROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Always use the correct personal protective equipment. Use them in the prescribed way and keep them in good condition.

Basic personal protective equipment:

• flame retardant, antistatic coverall• safety footwear• safety helmet• safety glasses• work gloves (correct type)• LEL/oxygen meter• H2S-detector (sour gas locations) • Respiratory protection, escape mask (sour gas locations)

Extra protective equipment may be required for work that entails a specific risk. This equipment is recorded in the Permit to Work. Everyone is required by law to use/wear the prescribed protective equipment.

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WHAT TO DODURING THE WORK?

For every drum or tank on which you are going to work, a statement is present to ensure that they are free of gas and pressure. Ensure that, before opening parts of the installation, pipes, drums or tanks on which you are going to work are free of pressure and liquid, and that they are inerted and ventilated.

Before and during work, the presence and concentration of relevant dangerous substances (e.g. Benzene, H2S, Mercury,etc.), and the percentage of LEL, should be measured.These substances may not exceed the limits. Measurements should be recorded. In the Permit to Work is recorded which substances are to be measured. If the presence of a fire watch and/or manhole guard is required, then this will be recorded in the Permit to Work.

Take care:

• not to eat or drink during work• to avoid open flames or sparks

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• to ensure that the equipment and lighting you use complies with the requirements for the specific hazardous area• to ensure an adequate ventilation

Report all leakages directly to your site manager/supervisor. Never touch a leakage and never undertake independent action.

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RISKS OFNATURAL GAS CONDENSATE• severely irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory• drowsiness, dizziness, stupor• permanent injury• cancer• explosive• death

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CONTACT WITH NATURAL GAS CONDENSATE?

Inhalation of vapours drowsiness, dizziness, stupor, severely irritating, cancer, death

Skin contact irritating, permanent injury

Eye contact severely irritating, permanent injury

Swallowing severely irritating, permanent injury

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WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF INHALATION, SWALLOWING OR CONTACT?

Inhalation of vapours get into fresh air; resuscitate if necessary

Skin contact take off contaminated clothing and wash the skin with plenty of water and soap

Eyes (contact) rinse out with plenty of water or with eye fluid; if possible remove contact lenses

Swallowing rinse mouth out with water or have it rinsed out; DO NOT induce vomiting

Severe exposure immediately notify the medic Be responsible: in all cases notify the medic immediately (offshore) or call 112/doctor (onshore).

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WHAT TO DO IN CASEOF FIRE OR EXPLOSION?

Raise alarm. Report the incident to the site manager/supervisor using the emergency number given beforehand.

Go to the muster point and await further instructions.

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QUESTIONS? MORE INFORMATION?

You can always approach the site manager/supervisor.

Make sure the system is depressurised and safe to work with (ask an operator to demonstrate this)

Work with the wind behind you and make sure the workplace is properly ventilated

Avoid naked flames or sparks

Take off your overalls during the lunch break

Use the correct PPE (see folder)

5 TO REMEMBER

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5IMPORTANT! In small concentrations, natural-gas condensate vapour has a narcotic effect. So leavethe workplace as soon as the gas alarm sounds.