Safety Alert
Safety Alert 53 - Compressor Explosion
Safety Alert 53 - Compressor Explosion
- BSEE
- Safety Alert
- BSEE Safety Alert 53
- ExplosionMachinery and Equipment
- ExplosionFireLoss of containmentMechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenance
- Fire protectionPressure relief
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installation
Summary
An offshore production platform suffered a compressor crankcase explosion after gas leaked through prematurely worn packing associated with an excessively worn crosshead pin. Ignition was considered probable at the power cylinders. Relief-valve venting led to secondary fires, extinguished by automatic CO2 protection. The operator initiated overhaul and component inspection and replacement.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.
BSEE Safety Alert 53. Themes: explosion, machinery and equipment.