H2S aka Hydrogen Sulphide

Procedures
Compiled by Rod Berry

Stage one alarm - Above 10ppm and below 20ppm.

1. On hearing the first stage warning (intermittent air horns, sirens, bells
and orange flashing light) the following personnel will proceed as
follows:

1. HSE Officer aka (Safety Officer) and H2S Engineer

On hearing the alarm or by notification will proceed to their muster

area, don 30 min SCBA, after head count is completed they mask up,
and proceed with their H2S monitors directly to the source of the alarm
and monitor for H2S concentration. Then proceed to the rig floor and
report all findings to the Drilling Supt and the Drilling Supervisor.
HSE will carry radio, turned on to channel # 1 to communicate
to DS or BE

2. Drilling Supt, and Drilling Supervisor

Don 30 min SCBA, pick up monitor and proceed to rig floor, and await
results of H2S monitoring. Drilling Supt to carry a radio, switched
on to locked channel # 9

3. On Duty Toolpusher:

If on drill floor, don 30 min SCBA and observe flow check

If NOT on drill floor, don 30 min SCBA and proceed to drill floor.

4. On Duty Driller

On drill floor don 10 min SABA. Raise pipe off bottom to the flow
check position.( If required)
Not on drill floor, proceed to his roof deck muster station, don 30 min
SCBA and await instruction to return to drill floor.

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 5. On duty Asst. Driller

On drill floor, don 30 min SCBA, and standby for instruction from
Driller or Toolpusher.
Not on drill floor, proceed to his assigned muster station, don 30min
SCBA and await instruction to return to drill floor.

6. On Duty Derrickman

If in mud pit room, don 10 min SABA and proceed immediately to

his assigned muster station.
If up in derrick don 10 min SABA plug into air loop system and
await further instructions.

7. On Duty Floormen
On drill floor , don 10 min SABA and standby on rig floor to assist
Driller.
Not on drill floor, proceed to their assigned muster station, don
30min SCBA and await instruction to return to drill floor.

8. Rescue Team
On duty Crane driver, and 5-roustabout crew standby by at their roof
deck under the direction of the Barge Engineer.

1. All off duty crews and non-essential personnel will proceed to their
assigned muster stations, don their 30minute SCBAs, plug into the air
loop system and standby.
2. If persons fail to show up at muster point then Barge Engineer will
appoint two men from the rescue team to proceed together to search
all areas for missing personnel with first starting their search in the
area in which the H2S alarm first detected H2S. The Barge Engineer will
also keep a constant check on the H2S concentration in the assembly
area, using a portable H2S Gas Detector.
3. If gas cannot be detected in the area where the sensor (or sensors)
have been activated or the alarm proves to be only minor gas shows in
circulation, with otherwise normal well conditions, the Drilling
Supervisor (in consultation with the rig Drilling Supt.) will remain in

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charge until H2S concentration is within acceptable operating limits
(below 10 ppm), after which he declares the alert over.

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B. Stage two alarm - Above 20ppm.

On hearing the second stage warning (flashing lights, ringing

bells/sirens and continuous air horn) or as instructed all drilling crew
will proceed as follows:

1. HSE and H2S Specialist.

On hearing the alarm or by notification will proceed to their muster

area, don 30 min SCBA, after head count is completed they mask up,
and proceed with their H2S monitors directly to the source of the alarm
and monitor for H2S concentration. Return to rig floor and report all
findings to the Drilling Supt and the Drilling Supervisor. Continue to
monitor H2S at the source of alarm if required. Report back to rig floor
periodically, to inform the Drilling Supt. and Supervisor of any change
in conditions.
HSE will carry radio, turned on to channel # 1 to communicate
to DS or BE

2. Drilling Supt. and Drilling Supervisor

Don 30 min SCBA, Mask up, proceed to rig floor with their H2S
monitor, and await results of H2S monitoring. Drilling Supt to carry a
radio, switched on to locked channel # 9

3. On Duty Toolpusher:

If on drill floor, Mask up and await instruction from Drilling Supt. or

Drilling Supervisor
If NOT on drill floor, don 30min SCBA, mask up and proceed to drill
floor.

4. On Duty Driller

If on drill floor, Mask up and wait for further instructions from Drilling
Supervisor or Rig Drilling Supt.
Not on drill floor, proceeds to assigned muster station, don 30min
SCBA and await instruction to return to drill floor.

5. On Duty Asst. Driller

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 If on drill floor, Mask up and standby for further instructions from Rig
Drilling Supt.
Not on drill floor, proceed to assigned muster station, don 30min
SCBA and await instruction to return to drill floor.

6. On Duty Derrickman

If on drill floor, Mask up and standby for further instructions from Rig
Drilling Supt.
If in derrick, mask up connect to air line and await instruction. If
instructed to leave derrick, disconnect airline, open escape cylinder,
climb down ladder to drill floor and proceed to assigned muster point.

7. On Duty Floormen

If on drill floor, Mask up and standby for further instructions from Rig
Drilling Supt.
Not on drill floor, proceed to their assigned muster station, don
30min SCBA and await instruction to return to drill floor.

1. Breathing masks will not be removed for communication. All

communication must be in writing by use of chalkboards, white
boards or note pads. (One white board with W/Board marker to be kept
on rig floor and one at each Muster station.)The Drilling Supt., H2S
Eng, HSE, and Barge Eng, all have voice amplifiers on their
SCBAs. The Drilling Supt., Barge Eng, and HSE will carry a
Radio with them for quicker communication. But note pads and
whites boards must be utilized for noisy areas and in the event that the
voice amplifiers fail.

2. All other personnel mustered at their assigned roof deck muster area
are under the direct supervision of the Barge Engineer and Muster
checkers. The Barge Engineer will monitor for H2S gas on the roof deck
muster area. If the concentration of H2S exceeds 20ppm he will instruct
all personnel to mask up.

3. If gas alarm proves to be H2S, and gas is detected in circulation, with

normal well conditions, the Drilling Supervisor will (in consultation with
the Rig Drilling Supt.) remain in charge until H2S concentration is within
operating limits (below 10 ppm), after which he declares the alert over.

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4. If in the judgment of the Drilling Supervisor in consultation with the Rig
Drilling Supt., he considers the H2S concentration and general well
conditions warrant further precautions, he will have the rig abandoned.

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C. On receiving the abandon rig signal

1. Duty drill floor crew

Standby for further instructions from Drilling Supt.

2. Drilling Supt.

Drilling Supervisor will notify the control room of the emergency as

well as Senior Drilling Supervisor as per Offshore Emergency
Procedures.

3. All non-essential personnel

Should be plugged into cascade system at their assigned muster station

on roof deck. Under the direction of the Life Boat Commanders all the
non-essential personnel prepare for evacuation as per H2S evacuation
procedures. Once the lifeboats have been safely loaded and all
personnel are accounted for the Coxswains will launch their lifeboats.

4./Drilling Supt. and other essential persons stay on rig.

Secure well, muster together for head count, then proceed to the
designated lifeboat station, board lifeboat and launch it. Make way to
standby work vessel up wind from rig.