Chapter 20 - Special Locations, Facilities and Equipment

Abstract

This chapter highlights special locations, facilities, and equipment for petroleum operations in diversified environmental conditions. Desert environments offer different ambient conditions than what are normally encountered at most oil and gas facilities. The most obvious fact is that the ambient temperature can reach extremely high levels, as much as 54.4 ºC (130 ºF), and sand storms can be expected to occur. Special consideration of thermal relief for piping exposure to sunlight (solar radiation) needs to be undertaken. This is usually accomplished by painting with reflective paint or burial. The hydrocarbon containing piping is usually painted in a reflective color (i.e., aluminum) for advantages of reflection of solar radiation (heat input) to avoid the thermal expansion of fluids in blocked systems. Offshore facilities are dramatically different from onshore facilities because instead of spreading out, the equipment is segregated into compartments or separated into a complex of platforms. Offshore facilities pose critical questions of personnel evacuation and the possibility of total asset destruction if prudent risk assessments are not performed. A thorough analysis of both life safety and asset protection measures must be undertaken.