What are your experiences with H2S?

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by MP3 > CB, Oct 18, 2013.

  1. MP3 > CB

    MP3 > CB Medium Load Member

    366
    69
    Oct 13, 2011
    Sawyer, MI
    0
    Just went through orientation and learned a little about it. But, what they teach and what seems to be the reality look like two different things. One water hauler said at some sites his monitor would go off and then he'd have to move away and then he'd go back and try it again. A few days ago somebody died in North Dakota from H2S poisoning.

    Hauling sand, we didn't have H2S monitors and never thought about it. So, I'm asking you, what's it really like out there? TIA
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. misc

    misc Light Load Member

    183
    133
    Mar 18, 2010
    0
    It's pretty obvious when on a H2S site. It really stinks. I've had my monitor go off a few times, but it was never a surprise. I knew the gas was there long before it got to dangerous levels.

    My employer provides self-contained breathing masks, and requires that we be clean-shaven. But, to be honest, I've never bothered. I position the truck so the cab is upwind, and if it gets really bad, I hold my breath when hooking up or passing by the tank vent. If in a situation where there's no breeze, I'd probably put on the SCBA.
     
  4. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

    3,757
    1,640
    Jul 22, 2010
    Houston,Texas
    0
    Hydrogen sulfide (British English: hydrogen sulphide, but this spelling is not recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry nor the Royal Society of Chemistry) is the chemical compound with the formula H2s

    2​
    S. It is a colorless gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs; it is heavier than air, very poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive.

    Hydrogen sulfide often results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, such as in swamps and sewers; this process is commonly known as anaerobic digestion. H

    2​
    S also occurs in volcanic gases, natural gas, and some well waters. The human body produces small amounts of H

    2​
    S and uses it as a signaling molecule.
    Dissolved in water, hydrogen sulfide is known as hydrosulfuric acid or sulfhydric acid, a weak acid.

    Be careful.....
     
  5. MP3 > CB

    MP3 > CB Medium Load Member

    366
    69
    Oct 13, 2011
    Sawyer, MI
    0
    That's amazing to to flirt with something so lethal. As you know, in high enough concentrations you won't smell anything. What have I gotten myself into!?
     
  6. Ben Gunn

    Ben Gunn Medium Load Member

    640
    375
    Oct 30, 2011
    Forgotten Coast
    0
    West TX has a lot of H2S wells. I'm in a kill truck so I spend a lot of time on location with work over rigs. On a few occasions the rig crew has had to work under supplied air, but I never have. While H2S can be encountered everywhere out here, the oil companies know which wells are problems and they will have a safety team on location to monitor operations .... at least that was the case when I was working on Devon leases.

    I've been on locations with no wind when we were bleeding the well down into a vac truck and we were literally being chased by gas. Our monitors would go off so we'd move to a different area only to have the gas follow us. Having no wind sucks in a situation like that.

    When I get to a location I determine where the potential sources of H2S are and plan accordingly. Never open a battery hatch when you're down wind. Spot your truck up or cross wind of the battery, pit, well head, etc but remember that wind can and will change direction. If you're in a vac truck pay attention to your vent line and string out a couple hoses if necessary. I was a SWD once when a vac truck pulled up beside me and kicked his pump in before exiting the truck. The pump was still in the load position so his vent line blew gas right into my face and set my monitor off. I've had it go off while unloading at the same disposal. If the crew is bleeding off the well, turn your truck off if there's any chance of the wind carrying it your direction and make sure you're out of the truck and upwind yourself.

    The key is to be alert and calmly move up/cross wind if your monitor goes off. Then assess the situation from a safe distance. If you see a man down DO NOT rush to help unless you are positive the gas is gone.
     
    Hammer166 and Big Duker Thank this.
  7. Shadow Captain

    Shadow Captain Light Load Member

    157
    101
    Jan 4, 2010
    Denver,CO
    0
    During my year up in ND my monitor only went off about a dozen times but I hauled mostly fresh/KCL water. My question then and now is---Do they truly know what level of exposure to H2S might cause future problems like COPD?
    What I find ironic is that when a long time oilfield driver started a thread about declining wages in the ND oilpatch you were the first forum member that jumped on him with your mixed arguement of 'Free Market, Supply & Demand and 'Doomsday scenarios' . Now that you find out about something that could affect your personal health--Do you still think oilfield workers are overpaid and just lucky to have a job? If I replied to this thread using your former line of thought I would say--"If you don't like the dangers, don't let the door hit you on the way back to MI"
     
    Ben Gunn Thanks this.
  8. Gaugeline

    Gaugeline Bobtail Member

    39
    25
    Sep 5, 2013
    Texas
    0
    It doesn't take much gas to mess you up. If you can smell it then its not a concentration. But breathing it and standing around your vent line for 30 minutes while you load will mess you up. Even breathing it for that little time can cause your lungs to be scard for life. A small dose of it will make you sick. If you happen to walk or drive in to a high concentration of h2s you dead anyway. You'll never know or smell it. And don't try to rescue anybody unless you have a scba. Call for help. Btw on most deadly leases you will have someone else with you to call for help if you go down.
     
  9. MP3 > CB

    MP3 > CB Medium Load Member

    366
    69
    Oct 13, 2011
    Sawyer, MI
    0
    I have no idea why Americans can't understand markets and market wages. I never said or thought oilfield workers are overpaid, I said we aren't entitled to some wage rate without regard to prevailing markets. Secondly, how could you ever decide for me what is and isn't worth the risk? Indeed, anyone should turn around and go home if they don't think it's worth it.

    I'm predicting economic collapse, is that a burden to you? What would be a warning that you would be thankful to receive? It's my opinion, you're free to reject it.

    Now, H2S. Twelve times! Considering only one time can kill you, that's not too comforting. I worked frac sand for nine months without a monitor and didn't know it was any threat to us. I wonder if I had exposure I didn't know about.
     
  10. MP3 > CB

    MP3 > CB Medium Load Member

    366
    69
    Oct 13, 2011
    Sawyer, MI
    0


    1234567890

    I'm trying to post the Dickinson article about last week's fatality. One guy escaped and went back in to drag the other out, then performed CPR. Unbelievably selfless, perhaps with a tinge of stupidity.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2013
  11. MP3 > CB

    MP3 > CB Medium Load Member

    366
    69
    Oct 13, 2011
    Sawyer, MI
    0
    Bismarck:

    1234567890
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2013
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.