Safety Alert
Safety Alert 142 - Pollution Because of Failure of Level Safety High Sensor and Level Controller
Safety Alert 142 - Pollution Because of Failure of Level Safety High Sensor and Level Controller
- BSEE
- Safety Alert
- BSEE Safety Alert 142
- EnvironmentProcess Safety
- Environmental protectionFunctional safetyHydrocarbon release
- Inspection and maintenance
- Storage tanks
- Preventive maintenance
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
An oil tank’s level controller and high-level safety sensor failed, allowing oil into a low-pressure flare scrubber. Two barrels were blown overboard when the compressor shut down and routinely vented gas. Paraffin blocked the float cage, and the controller float was set too high. Planned measures include float repositioning and periodic solvent injection.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Summary
The alert highlights pollution following failure of level-control and safety instrumentation.
BSEE Safety Alert 142. Themes: environment, process safety.