HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S)

Other names for H2S

Common names Chemical names
• Sour Crude • Hydrogen Sulfide
• Poison Gas • Dihydrogen monosulfide
• Sour Gas • Dihydrogen sulfide
• Rotten egg Gas • Hydrosulfuric acid
• Sewer gas • Sulfane
• Stink damp • Sulfurated hydrogen
• Knock-down gas • Sulphur hydride
• Manure gas • Hepatic gas
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 What is H2S?
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic,
flammable, corrosive and colourless gas
which is heavier than air.
• H2S is produced by bacteria during the
decomposition of organic material, known
as anaerobic digestion.
It is a poison that can paralyze your
breathing system and kill you in few
minutes (by inhalation).

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 Where is H2S found?
For example:

• Oil and gas exploration (drilling)

• Oil and gas production
• Sour crude handling (tankers)
• Working with sewage
• Stagnant water
• Farms (livestock)
• Fishing industry
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 Properties of H2S
• Deadly and extremely toxic gas.
• Can form explosive mixtures with air.
• Colourless.
• Odour of rotten eggs, only in low concentrations.
• Collects in low laying and enclosed, poorly
ventilated areas:
– Confined spaces;
– Vaults;
– Ships hold;
– Sewer lines.
• Readily dispersed by wind or air currents.
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 Properties of H2S
• Heavier than air – may travel along the ground
• Corrosive; AIR
H2S
• Explosive limits – 4.3 % to 46% by volume air
• Flammable and forms explosive mixtures with air or
oxygen;
• Burns with a blue flame, producing sulphur dioxide
(SO2), also a toxic gas;
• More deadly than Carbon Monoxide (CO) and
almost as toxic as hydrogen cyanide (HCN).

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 H2S Exposure

How H2S exposure will affect you depends

on the following factors:

• Duration: The length of time you are exposed.

• Frequency of exposure: How often are you exposed in a
certain period of time.
• Individual susceptibility: Your physical condition.
• Intensity: how much dosage (concentration) the individual
was exposed to.

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 H2S Exposure
• At low concentrations (smell of rotten eggs):
– Can result in irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory (breathing) system.
– Extended exposure will result in loss of speech / concentration problems.
• As concentrations increase, it will completely paralyse your sense of
smell (a single breath of H2S is enough to do this).
• Short exposure to higher concentrations will paralyse your respiratory
system, with possible loss of consciousness.
• At high concentrations, over 500ppm, it will almost always be immediately
fatal.
– One breath is enough to cause immediate unconsciousness
A H2S concentration of 500 ppm or more is considered
immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH).
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 H2S Exposure
Concentration of the gas:
• 1.6ppm - Exposure limit for 8 hour day.
• 10ppm - Beginning eye irritation - Evacuation limit.
• 100ppm - Loss of sense of smell in 2-5 mins.
• 200ppm - Eye inflammation and respiratory tract irritation after
one hour of exposure.
• 500ppm - Loss of consciousness; possible death in 30-60 mins.
• 700ppm - Rapid unconsciousness and cessation (stopping or
pausing) of respiration; death in 12 to 15 mins.
• 1000+ppm - Immediate unconsciousness; death within 3 mins.
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 Signs of exposure
Route of exposure is by inhalation.
If you notice the symptoms listed below in yourself or a colleague,
immediately seek a safe air supply and proper protective breathing equipment
These symptoms could be due to short, or long term exposure:
• Rotten egg smell • Stinging of the eyes and throat
• Dryness in nose • Blurred vision
• Sneezing • Loss of mental abilities
– Concentration
• Sore throat – Memory
• Breathing difficulties – Problem solving
– Wheezing
– Shortness of breath • Loss of sense of balance
– Chest tightness • Fever
– A feeling of suffocation • Fatigue
• Headache • Loss of consciousness
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 H2S is deadly
NO ONE IS IMMUNE TO H2S
Regardless of experience in H2S environments, the human body
does not develop resistance. Each exposure is at least as
potentially deadly as the first.
Do not takes chances with H2S.
One breath is all it takes to kill.
How small is 1ppm of gas?
If 1 second represents 1ppm of gas:
1sec/1,000,000 sec = 1sec/11.5 days
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 Flammability

H2S is a highly flammable gas.

Flammability range is between 4.3% (LEL) and
46% (UEL).
A 4.3% concentration of H2S gas in air is It burns with a
approximately 43,000ppm. blue flame,
This concentration can kill a person instantly. producing
Sulfur Dioxide
Be aware of the flammability of H2S. Avoid (SO2), which is
providing, or causing ignition sources in the also a highly
presence of any flammable gas. toxic gas.

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 Corrosiveness
H2S is highly corrosive to certain metals.
The gas deteriorates the protective oxide film
of the metal leaving the surface of the metal
to react more rapidly with a contaminated
atmosphere.
Once the yield strength of the metal is
exceeded, catastrophic failure can occur.
Rust and pitting are signs that metal is
deteriorating, which can eventually lead to
leaks.
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 Warning signs and alarms

• Signs alert you to where H2S might be

present.
• Sirens, lights and alarms are used to
notify people of H2S presence.
• Emergency escape routes, plans, drills
and equipment are provided and
practiced in order to keep you alive if
there is a H2S release in your workplace.

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 H2S Detection
There are a number of methods that can be used to detect
the presence of H2S. Some are used before entering
hazardous areas and others are in place permanently.
Ampoules or coated strip: These change colour in presence
of H2S; the degree of colour indicates the concentration.
• Electronic portable detector: This personal device is
breast pocket mounted or hand-held and gives you an
audible and visual alarm upon exposure to a pre-
determined level of H2S. It can also be attached to a rope
and lowered into silos, manholes and other enclosed
spaces before entering.

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 H2S Detection

• Air sampling gas detector tubes: H2S

concentration is registered by the length of
discolouration when air is drawn through
the detector tube.

• Fixed H2S sensors: Fixed electronic sensors

that continuously analyse the area where
they are installed. These are usually
provided by the client, but GEOLOG may be
required to install more at certain other
points on the rig.

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 During a gas alarm

Wind will disperse H2S very quickly.

Therefore, windsocks and/or streamers
are normally installed on a rig site for
determining wind direction.
1. In case of a gas alarm, before you
move to a safe muster point,
look at the windsocks and
go upwind (or crosswind)
to avoid exposure.

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 During a gas alarm
2. Know your escape route before you ever need
it – make yourself familiar with the rig escape
routes from the unit to the muster points.

3. When you need to escape and no escape

equipment is available:
– Do not run (to avoid deep breaths and
slips or trips);
– Hold your breath as long as possible;
– Avoid low laying areas;
– Move across wind, where possible, to the
muster point.
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 During a gas alarm
4. Escape equipment is designed to
allow you to evacuate from a H2S
contaminated area, promptly and
safely.
• Filter masks
• Escape hood
• Escape set

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 Escape equipment - Filter mask
Filter Mask:
• Provides you with protection along
your escape route into a safe,
breathable atmosphere.
• The filter escape devices are designed
for 15 minutes of escape time.
• Provides filtering of hazardous gases,
but will not provide breathing air in the
absence of oxygen.

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 Escape equipment - Escape hood
Escape hood:
• Provides you with protection along your escape
route into a safe, breathable atmosphere.
• The filter escape devices are designed for 15
minutes of escape time.
• Provides filtering of most hazardous gases, but will
not provide breathing air in the absence of
oxygen.
• Additional protection for the eyes and skin of the
covered area, from airborne corrosive gases and
vapours.
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 Escape equipment – Escape set
Escape set:
Escape sets can come in many shapes and sizes.
These devices are used to safely evacuate a
dangerous environment that lacks normal breathing
conditions caused by smoke from fire, gas leaks etc.
• Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD):
– Provides breathable air for 5 - 15 minutes.
– Only to be used for escape purposes.
– Strenuous use will use up air faster.

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 Other breathing apparatus (BA)
• Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA):
Supplies air from a cylinder
worn on the back,
normally for 30 minute duration.
This type of set is generally used in
rescue operations,
so is NOT an escape set.

However, if no other sets are available, it can be used.

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 Other breathing apparatus (BA)
• Supplied Air-Breathing Apparatus:
The back-mounted tank is replaced by a
large cylinder connected by a hose line
to the pigtail on the breathing apparatus
set.
It restricts the movements to the length
of the hose.
An escape bottle must be worn with this
type of apparatus.

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 Problems with some BA use
Contact lenses: can become contaminated and result in chemical
burns to the eyes. Lenses should not be worn while working in a
potentially contaminated atmosphere.
Corrective eyeglasses: corrective spectacles with temple bar or straps
that interfere with the respirator face seal should not be worn as
they will permit contaminant penetration.
Psychological distress: psychological disturbances, such as
claustrophobia, are hazard to the wearer of a respirator.
Beard: The presence of facial hair on the wearer can reduce the
fitting of the mask to the face. A tight seal around the face is
required to provide the best protection, and so GEOLOG employees
are requested to shave before entering and during the operation
on rig site where H2S can be released to the atmosphere.
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 H2S in the rig site
In case of H2S hazard conditions in the rig site,
GEOLOG personnel must follow the procedures set by the
oil company representative on site (ex. Company Man),
taking in consideration:
• the concentration of H2S
• the type of H2S source,
• the location and relative distance of the
detector from the H2S source.

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 Responsibilities
Unit Manager/ Data Engineer
• To understand the procedure defined by the oil company in case of H2S
hazard condition.
• To ensure that all GEOLOG crew knows the procedure.
• To keep GEOLOG crew informed of the current H2S hazard condition.
• To inform the operations manager of current H2S hazard condition.
• Set the H2S alarms in Geodesk according to client requirements or
according to GEOLOG values if the client limits are higher than GEOLOG
limits. (Lower H2S alarm limit = 5ppm; Higher H2S alarm limit = 10ppm)

Mud Logger
• To be familiar with the evacuation procedures defined in the rig site.
• To stay informed on the H2S hazard condition.
• To follow instructions provided by the Unit Manager/ Data Engineer.
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 General Procedure
General procedure,
0<[H2S]<5 ppm H2S is DETECTED
be reviewed and adapted
Inform IMMEDIATELY the
(if required) according to
Driller/Toolpusher and the project and in
Company Man
consultation with
Automatic activation of the client.
5<[H2S]<10 ppm visual alarms; Unit Pressurization
Supervisor informs his crew.

H2S concentration is EQUAL OR
HIGHER than 10 ppm
Automatic activation of
visual & acoustic alarms;
GEOLOG to inform Company Any time H2S is detected,
Man & Toolpusher.
Inform IMMEDIATELY the
GEOLOG personnel evacuate Driller/Toolpusher and
to muster point.
Company Man informs other
Company Man
personnel to evacuate to
muster point.
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 First aid and rescue procedures
If you find someone unconscious, or showing symptoms of H2S
poisoning/exposure, you should do the following:

1. Think of your own safety – Is it safe to approach the person?

Is there likely to be more gas that could effect you?
2. Move the victim to fresh air, upwind and higher elevation,
only if it is safe for you to do so – otherwise wait for rescue
personnel with rescue breathing equipment.
3. Alert medical personnel – Follow rig procedures.

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 First aid and rescue procedures
4. Check responses (airways, breathing, pulse, etc).

5. If breathing, maintain the victim at rest and administer oxygen

if available

5. If victim is not breathing, start artificial respiration

immediately and give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Continue with any CPR until medical personnel take over.

6. Keep the victim lying down with a blanket, coat, under

shoulders to keep him/her warm and keep airway passage
open; do not leave the victim unattended.
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First aid and rescue procedures

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 Summary
• H2S IS A COLOURLESS, HIGHLY TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE
GAS THAT IS HEAVIER THAN AIR AND IN VERY LOW
CONCENTRATIONS HAS AN ODOUR SIMILAR TO ROTTEN EGGS

• THE PRINCIPAL HAZARD OF H2S IS DEATH BY INHALATION

• THE SENSE OF SMELL DOES NOT HELP TO DETECT H2S

• AVOID LOW AREAS IN WHICH H2S WILL TEND TO ACCUMULATE

• BE FAMILIAR WITH THE EVACUATION PROCEDURES DEFINED IN

THE RIG SITE (e.g. MUSTER POINTS)
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 Summary
• ANY TIME H2S IS DETECTED, INFORM IMMEDIATELY THE
DRILLER/TOOLPUISHER AND COMPANY MAN

• DURING A GAS ALARM, TAKE NOTE OF THE WIND DIRECTION

AND GO ACROSS, OR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION

• FACIAL HAIR, CONTACT LENSES, REGULAR EYEGLASSES AND

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS ARE SPECIAL HAZARDS TO YOUR
PERSONAL SAFETY IN A H2S ENVIRONMENT

• NEVER, EVER ATTEMPT TO RESCUE ANYONE IN A H2S

CONTAMINATED AREA WITHOUT PROPER EQUIPMENT AND
THE TRAINING IN HOW TO USE IT
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 Thanks for your attention!
If you have any question, feel free to contact your local base or the QHSE
department (qhse@geologinternational.com)

Please complete now the Quiz.

Use the excel file “QHSE training answers” and insert the number of the
correct answers in the columns related to each module.

Please return the excel file with your answers to

qhse@geologinternational.com

Remember that you have to answer to ALL questions.

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