Module Code EAX_6_291/ PTRL13H05

Final Examination
2016/2017
Module Title :
Safety and Environment in Petroleum Industry
PEGT
Module Leader Semester
Dr. Tarek Allam S1
Equipment allowed
Non-programmable calculator

Instructions to Students

 The Exam is TWO SECTIONS

 Answers only two questions from section A and Three Questions of
Section B.
 If answers to more than five questions are found, the first five answers will
be graded and the other answers will be ignored.
 The exam paper is 3 pages long, not including this page, with the
following content:
 The allocation of marks is shown in brackets next to each question.
 Write your answers in the answer book provided, not on the exam paper.
 Submit exam paper with the answer book.

This examination is THREE hours long.

PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

Section A
Answer ONLY Two Questions of the Following Questions
Frist Question
a) Risk control action plan can be most effective if the work place becomes safe, however it is
least effective it makes the involved person safe. Show schematically the different levels of
risk control measures that gradually change the action plan from least effective (safe
Person) to most effective (safe work place). [10 Marks]

b) Domino theory states that an accident is the result of a series of events which are dependent
on one another. Propose the sequence of an accident according to the domino theory and
refer to its benefits and limitations. [10 Marks]

Second Question
a) Potential hazards associated with gas and oil industry can be divided into two broad
categories which are; 1- safety and injury hazards and 2- health and illnesses hazards.
Mention at least three of the safety and injury hazards in gas and oil industry indicating their
possible causes. [10 Marks]

b) The given diagram represents the diagram a hydrocarbon (fuel). Using this diagram, a given
mixture can be assessed whether it is flammable or not. Name the missed data (one through
ten) which are used to construct such diagram in your answer book. [10 Marks]

Third Question
a) Fault tree technique is one the methods used in advanced risk assessment. This technique
depends on using developing a fault tree diagram that displays the logical interrelationship
between the basic causes of a hazard. A set of symbols is used to design and develop the
fault tree. Write in your answer book the designation and function of each symbol given in
the attached table. [10 Marks]

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

b) Leadership and commitment is one of the seven key elements of the model Health, Safety
and Environmental Management System (HSE-MS) outlined by Exploration and Production
Forum. Mention at least five of the six remaining HSE-MS key elements. [10 Marks]

Section B

Answer only Three Question of the following Questions

First Question
a) Compressed gases represent a significant hazard that may lead to serious consequences
such as fire and explosions if the cylinders containing gases failed or ruptured. Therefore,
cylinder safety devices are of a prime importance. What are the cylinder safety devices you
studied? Give short accounts how each one works! [12Marks]

b) The below given curve represents typical flammability characteristics of a material. Which
lines, regions or temperatures do the numbers 1 through 7 refer to? [8 Marks]

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

Second Question
a) Air emissions is one of the potential environmental issues associated with onshore oil and
gas projects. Briefly state the three main sources of air emissions resulting from onshore
activities. [9 Marks]

b) What are the main comptometers of fire triangle? [6 Marks]

c) Different control measures could be applied to limit the fire and explosion hazards. Explain
in details one of these control methods [5 Marks]

Third Question
a) What are the four significant solid and liquid wastes related to onshore oil and gas
activities? [8 Marks]

b) Suppose a company XY had 142 employee who worked a total of 234000 labor hours a
year. If the company experienced 11 recordable injuries, and there was 18 lost
workdays. Using a baseline of 300 employee instead of 100, calculate:
a. The incident rate (IR) [4 Marks]
b. The lost workday rate (LWD) [4 Marks]
c. The severity rate (SR) [4 Marks]

Fourth Question
a) Potential environmental Impacts due to oil and gas industry involve potential accidents.
Address four of the common accidents in oil and gas industries which may have great
environmental impacts. [8 Marks]

b) Hazards identification is the second step during practical risk assessment. To help with
process of identifying hazards it is useful to categorize the hazards .What are the different
categories of hazards? Give at least two examples for each category. [12 Marks]

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Model Answer 2017

Section A
First Question

a)

b)
The five dominos in reverse sequence are:
1. Injuries are caused by accidents
2. Accidents are caused by unsafe acts and unsafe condition.
3. Unsafe acts and unsafe condition are caused by the faults of person.
4. Faults of person are caused by a personal flaw such as violent temper, nervousness
or ignorance.
5. The injured worker’s ancestry and social environment.

Benefits
PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

 Structured accident investigation

 encourages the search for underlying causes
Limitations
 Simplistic straight chain thinking
 Heinrich model restricts the findings of underlying causes

Second Question

a)

b)

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

Third Question

a)

b)
a. Policy and strategic objectives
b. Organization resources and documentation
c. Evaluation and risk management
d. Planning
e. Implementation and monitoring
f. Review

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

Section B
First Question

a)
1. Safety / Pressure Relief Valves:
 They are normally held closed by a spring.
 The valve opens if the cylinder pressure exceeds the set safety limit.
 Gas is released until the cylinder pressure drops back to the safety limit.
 The valve then closes and retains the remaining gas in the cylinder.
2. Rupture Discs
 These discs are usually made of metal.
 They burst at a certain pressure, releasing the gas in the cylinder.
 The bursting pressure is designed so that the disc ruptures before the
cylinder test pressure is reached.
 These devices cannot be reclosed, so the entire contents of the cylinder are
released.
3. Fusible Plugs
 Temperature, not pressure, activates fusible plugs.
 These safety devices are used where heat could initiate an explosive chemical
reaction.
 A pressure-relief valve or rupture disc acts too slowly and too late to prevent
rupture of the cylinder if an explosive reaction has already begun.
 The fusible plug releases the gas before the hazardous reaction can begin.
 Fusible plugs are made of metals that melts at low temperatures. For This
temperature is safely below the temperature at which hazardous explosion
may occur.
b) ..

Second Question

a)

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

The main sources of air emissions resulting from onshore activities

include:
 Exhaust gas emissions produced by the combustion of gas or liquid fuels in
turbines, compressors, pumps, and other engines for power and heat, or for
water injection or oil and gas export.
 Emissions resulting from flaring and venting of hydrocarbons.
 Fugitive emissions.

b)

c) The student should explain in details one of the given control methods

Third Question

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PTRL21H04 Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry Final Examination 2017

a)
 Drilling fluids and drilled cuttings
 Produced sand
 Completion and well work-over fluids
 Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)
b)
I. IR = 11x600000/234000 = 28.205
II. LWD = 18x600000/234 = 46.153
III. SR = 18/11 = 1.636

Fourth Question

a)
 Spillage of fuel, oil, gas, chemicals and hazardous materials
 Oil or gas well blowout
 Explosions
 Fires (facility and surrounds)
b)
1 Physical Hazard
Electrical hazard
Noise hazard
Radiation hazard
Temperature hazard
2 Chemical Hazard
Carcinogens, Mutagens
Corrosive
3 Ergonomic Hazard
All activities that require technicians to work in unusual or awkward
positions for extended period of time
Repetitive motion
Console operation
4 Biological Hazard
Insects
Bacteria