Safety Alert
Pressure Relief Valve Sprays Dilute Acid Across Location on a Frac Job
Pressure Relief Valve Sprays Dilute Acid Across Location on a Frac Job
- IADC
- Safety Alert
- IADC Alert 11-31
- Hazardous SubstancesPressure Systems
- Hazardous substancesLoss of containmentPressure systems
- Hydraulic fracturing
- Valve
- Emergency responsePressure reliefSafety communication
- Upstream oil and gas
Summary
During hydraulic fracturing, a hydraulically activated pressure relief valve opened unexpectedly, spraying about six barrels of a diluted mixture of 15% HCL and gel across equipment. No injuries occurred. The alert describes acid neutralisation with soda ash, recovery from the cellar and a subsequent safety stand-down and investigation.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Hydraulic fracturing; fracking.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
IADC Alert 11-31. Themes: hazardous substances, pressure systems.