BSEE Publishes Gas Release Safety Alert after Recent Gulf Platform Inspections

The federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement released a safety alert on January 5, 2018 discussing gas hazards on production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The alert highlights findings from BSEE's Gulf of Mexico-wide inspection effort under its Performance-Based Risk Inspection pilot, along with the following recommendations for operators:

1. Develop and implement daily and weekly inspection protocol to check for common gas releases based on incident data – float cells, thief hatches, produced water treatment units, etc.
2. Work with gas detector original equipment manufacturers to develop and implement monthly, quarterly, and annual inspection protocol for the handheld gas detectors on their facilities that document the date of the inspection or test; include the name and position, and the signature of the person who performed the inspection or test; include the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed; include a description of the inspection or test performed.
3. Review their facilities and contracted drilling rigs to determine if area classification signs exist. If they don’t exist or they’re not properly marked, operators shall mark the area with signs identifying potential hazards.
4. Review all safe work practices associated with gas detection and verify that they are available to all employees involved in the operations and reflect current practices.
5. Verify their compliance with 30 CFR 250.1928 and evaluate / audit their latest JSAs with 30 CFR 250.1911.
6. Meet with gas detector original equipment manufacturers, production contractors, and drilling contractors to develop minimal training requirements for day-to-day operations.
7. Verify that all responsible company personnel and contractors are trained in the work practices necessary to understand and perform their jobs in a safe and environmentally sound manner in accordance with all provisions of Subpart S.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SAFETY ALERT