Investigation Report
Heater Backfire During Platform Restart After Emergency Shutdown Testing
03-16-2015 16:30 G02719 HI A 582 Explosion / Structural Damage / Equipment Failure
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- ExplosionFunctional safetyMechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenance
- Valve
- Functional testingStop-work authority
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installation
Summary
This investigation examines an Ambitrol heater backfire during platform restart following emergency shutdown testing. Inadequate purging, unreliable air/fuel ratio valve operation and excess fuel admitted by the programmable logic controller allowed an explosive mixture to accumulate. The heater cover was dislodged; no personnel injury, environmental incident or fire resulted.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Stop-work authority; stop work; stop-work intervention.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.