SAFETY ALERT

Safety Alert No. 494 Contact: bseepublicaffairs@bsee.gov January 24, 2025 Phone: (800) 200-4853

BSEE Investigates Nitrogen Cylinder Rupture Causing Worker Injuries and Equipment Damage; Issues Recommendations to Enhance Safety and Prevent Future Incidents

Post-Incident Images of Nitrogen Cylinder Rack and Debris.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) recently investigated the rupture of an improperly inspected nitrogen cylinder that led to multiple injuries and equipment damage. At the time of the incident, rig personnel had positioned a rack with 12 nitrogen cylinders to begin pre-charging the accumulator system cylinders with nitrogen. One of the nitrogen cylinders within the rack subsequently ruptured at its base, resulting in the dispersion of both the nitrogen cylinders and debris that was within the rack, as well as of the remaining cylinders situated in the immediate and port aft areas of the rig. Three rig personnel sustained minor injuries from shrapnel.

The failure of the nitrogen cylinder, which is attributed to corrosive wall loss exacerbated by environmental factors and structural conditions, highlights critical vulnerabilities in the storage and maintenance of nitrogen cylinders, particularly in marine environments. The presence of crevices at the base of the cylinders, combined with moisture accumulation, significantly accelerated the corrosion process, leading to the hazardous failure. Heavy deterioration of the galvanic coating on the storage rack further compounded the failure, indicating systemic neglect of maintenance protocols that could prevent such incidents.

BSEE recommends that operators and their contractors, where appropriate, do the following:

• Ensure that all cylinders are properly labeled and marked with the appropriate United States Department of Transportation (DOT) identification number. • Verify that all cylinders are within their recertification period and have been properly recertified. • Ensure that all cylinders are filled to the appropriate pressure and the filling process is properly documented. • Train all personnel handling and transporting high-pressure cylinders on the proper procedures and safety precautions. • Train all personnel on the importance of monitoring environmental conditions and identifying the early signs of corrosion. • Foster a culture of safety and diligence regarding the handling and maintenance of gas cylinders. • Regularly review and update high-pressure cylinder safety procedures to ensure compliance with current DOT regulations. • Implement a robust inspection program and monitoring system to track the condition of high-pressure cylinders and storage racks regularly. Establish a reporting mechanism for any observed deterioration or safety concerns. • Establish a routine maintenance schedule that includes cleaning, inspection, and protective coating application to prevent corrosion. This should also involve checking for and addressing any crevices or pooling of water around the bases of the cylinders.

By addressing these recommendations, the risk of future failures can be significantly reduced, ensuring the safety of personnel and the integrity of the storage system.

– BSEE –

A Safety Alert is a tool used by BSEE to inform the offshore oil and gas industry of the circumstances surrounding a potential safety issue. It also contains recommendations that could assist avoiding potential incidents on the Outer Continental Shelf.

Category: Explosion