Gas explosions are unfortunately still common in the process industry and can lead to injuries, fatalities, property damage, business interruption and environmental pollution. In fact, gas explosions are the biggest contributor to losses in the hydrocarbon industry. It is therefore of paramount importance to reduce the risks when handling flammable gases and vapours.
This course is looking into gas explosion hazards on offshore and onshore facilities. It addresses all aspects of hazards associated with vapor cloud explosions (VCEs): ignition processes, release and dispersion, explosion mechanisms, blast loads and modelling of all these aspects. The fundamentals & phenomena governing gas explosion hazards and safety is the same between offshore and onshore.
At the end of the course, delegates should achieve the following key learning outcomes:
- Understand the basics and important parameters governing vapour cloud explosions (VCEs).
- Be aware of offshore release and accident statistics and some important accidents.
- Understand the accident chain of events and the important parameters affecting the gas release and dispersion.
- Understand the various preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of accidents and the various mitigation and control techniques to reduce gas explosion consequences.
- Learn the various explosion modeling techniques that may be applied and understand the importance of using advanced 3D modeling for gas explosion analyses.
- Learn the various gas explosion analyses methodologies and when they may be applied.
- Understand how the explosion loads can be integrated with the response of structures
Professionals who are concerned with the risks and vulnerabilities associated with flammable gas and liquid.
- Safety engineers, managers, supervisors, and other personnel involved in the design, operation or modification of an onshore or offshore oil and gas facility (platforms, FPSOs, etc.)
- Accident investigators
- Representatives of governmental or public bodies involved in the development of onshore and offshore safety regulations
- Anyone who would like to develop an understanding of gas explosion safety
In general, no special prerequisites are required. However, knowledge in process safety and experience in plant operation will be helpful.
