High pressure fluids hazards

Field Safety. The objective of well stimulation is to use highly pressurized fluids to improve the productivity of petroleum reservoirs. This objective will not be achieved if the productivity is improved at the expense of the workers or equipment safety. The well stimulation sector of the petroleum industry is a hazardous sector that not only involves the use of highly pressurized fluids, but also includes fluids that may be flammable or corrosive or contain radioactive tracers. Foams that use compressed gas may be hazardous if the gas is allowed to expand quickly. Reservoir fluids also pose a danger to field personnel and equipment, because the fluids are generally flammable, combustible, or extremely poisonous, as is the case with H2S. 

Extinguishers If high pressure fluids are flammable, there is a potential for a leak causing a fire. Where fire hazards exist, fire suppression equipment must be available. 

The isolation process deserves special consideration (Fig. 10.4). Here, isolation refers to the secure containment of any hazards so that technicians can work on the isolated plant in safety. However, the process of isolation has a dual role not only does the isolation ensure the safety of the technicians, it also acts to ensure that the plant cannot be returned to operational status until the technicians have completed their work, and the work has been inspected and deemed ready for return to service. The isolation process ensures that all hazards are securely separated from the work to be done - this includes electrical systems, high-pressure fluid systems, and any sources of toxic or inflammable material. Any residual high pressure or high voltage must be vented or earthed. Valves are locked shut. 

All hazardous facilities - offshore or onshore, oil and gas, petrochemical, nuclear, pharmaceutical, etc. - must have clear controls over how maintenance, inspection or test work is carried out on the plant. Hazardous equipment needs to be carefully isolated, and work needs to be carried out in a planned, careful way. Isolation means ensuring that sources of electricity or high-pressure fluid or other hazards cannot reach the equipment being worked on. After the maintenance work is completed, the equipment needs to be tested, de-isolated and re-commissioned carefully. 

Hazardous features to be considered will include pressure relief handling of hazardous materials such as acids and alkalis protection from steam and other high-temperature fluids and electrical classification for handling solvents or protection from water ingress, high speed rotating machinery, and noise levels. 

Chemical and Biochemical Toxicity. Handling any cosolvent or raw material or fluid that presents a danger in terms of chemical or biological hazard must lead to drastic care, as SCF equipment work at a high pressure with possible leaks at any moment. Fluid leakage often leads to aerosol formation that may be easily inhaled. In particularly dangerous cases, it is necessary to isolate the equipment in a closed room or box (Fig. 1) with remote control, and environment must also be protected from effluent treatment. 

Fire-resistant fluids A major application of PAGs involves their use in fire-resistant fluids. Industrial sectors such as steel production, die casting (where leaks in high-pressure hydraulic lines can create serious fire hazards) and mining (where the consequences of fire are catastrophic) have generated a large demand for these types of hydraulic fluids indeed many countries now legislate their use. Fire-resistant fluids have been classified by several international bodies ... 

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