H2S gas in the oil fields.

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by Arky, Jul 17, 2013.

  1. Arky

    Arky Heavy Load Member

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    After doing the H2S training today, I decided that this a topic that deserves it's own thread. This stuff is dangerous and anybody coming to the oil fields needs to understand that and get themselves informed and educated on the hazards. Just know that you will likely be exposed to it in the oil fields. Your ability to recognize H2S and react properly can be a life or death action.

    Your company will likely have it's own policies, but OSHA regulates minimum standards for H2S safety and training. Rather than making a lot of statements myself (being a total newbie to the oil patch), I'll just attach a link I found and let you read up a little and do some more research for yourself. Hopefully, some of the old hands will comment too.

    One notable item that I picked up on in training today was that supposedly the only reason Hitler used Cyanide gas instead of H2S in his concentration camps was that the prisoners could smell the H2S. Apparently they are both equally lethal in high concentrations.

    http://www.toolboxtopics.com/Gen Industry/Toxic Gas in Oil and Gas Drilling.htm
     
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  3. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Not that big a deal. Wear your monitor. Know which way wind is blowing. Know where to go. Been on hundreds of wells and never had a whif of it. Some have incredibly sophisticated sensors.. Others have little or none but monitors you wear.. Don't wear on your hard hat and you will be fine. In the rare event fall back on your training. Pretty simple. Panic and die. React smartly and you'll cash your next check.
     
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  4. Ben Gunn

    Ben Gunn Medium Load Member

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    Ive had my monitor go off a few times and Ive worked on locations where the rig crew had to wear respirators because the levels were unsafe. Be able to identify potential sources of H2S (vent lines, tanks, etc) and know which way the wind is blowing. If you detect gas CALMLY move up/cross wind of the source.
     
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  5. Darracq

    Darracq Light Load Member

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    what if the levels are fairly hight right where you have to load? do you just not load?
     
  6. Arky

    Arky Heavy Load Member

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    That is what Sunoco is telling us....if the monitor goes off....leave and let Sunoco and the producer sort it out. The monitor goes off at 10 ppm (parts per million)....which is fairly small amounts. It's my understanding that you don't see it often...you just have to be prepared to react safely if you do.

    I do appreciate the comments from Big Duker and Ben Gunn....good to hear from experience.
     
  7. Rodeorowdy

    Rodeorowdy Light Load Member

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    Thankyou for this thread.
    Id like to know what someone thinks about this:
    Until yesterday my monitor has never made any sound orher than during testing. But while I was loading from 3 sump pits it beeped just once so I quickly moved up wind and it didn't make any sound again.
    I was just handed a brand new yellow monitor with no instructions of any kind.
    I've learned almost nothing about H2S or my monitor from the drivers I've trained with except one driver who told me to "always pay attention to the windsock so you know which direction to run".

    Be Safe,
     
  8. misc

    misc Light Load Member

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    We have a few h2s wells we pull production water from. Not a big deal, since you know it's there. Just watch the wind sock and position truck accordingly. If you can't avoid it that way, put on the respirator while loading.
     
  9. Arky

    Arky Heavy Load Member

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    Personally, I would either pay for my own training or find a company that takes it more seriously. I have seen some H2S online training for $30-$40. It's your life and health....don't let anyone make those decisions for you.

    Here is where we trained. They did a good job and they have an office in Carrizo Springs. Worth a phone call. http://canada-associates.com/page007.aspx
     
  10. TLeaHeart

    TLeaHeart Road Train Member

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    H2S can kill. But it is NOT a random occurrence. All producers KNOW which wells produce the sulfur needed to react with the metals to cause Hydrogen Sulfide. 95% of the wells around here are sulfur free, and H2S free...The place we have to be careful of is the LACT. And that is only when someone hauls sour crude into the sweet crude lact... the smell is very noticeable.

    And then there are the 3 older wells we pick up at, that one hopes for the wyoming breeze, to clean the H2S out. The access road comes from the down wind side, and when the monitor goes off, we turn around and don't pick the well up.
     
  11. Darracq

    Darracq Light Load Member

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    Do you unload water at the lact also or only oil?
     
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