Mercury in PDO Gas Processing Mercury Technology Services

Types of Mercury  Elemental Hg 0  Organic CH 3 HgCH 3  Inorganic HgCl 2  SuspendedHgS

Mercury Metal Hg 0

Elemental Mercury Hg 0  Found in gas and condensate  Volatile (evaporates)  Can be inhaled  Adsorptive (sticks to surfaces)

Mercury is Volatile Mercury evaporates like water

Mercuric Sulfide HgS Cinnabar

Ionic Mercury  Sometimes found in produced water  Not volatile (does not evaporate)  Cannot be inhaled  Can be ingested (drinking or eating contaminated food or water) HgCl 2 Ionic mercury is a salt

Mercury Amalgam Mercury reacts with metals

Almost never found Less volatile Can be absorbed through the skin Adsorptive (sticks to surfaces) CH 3 HgCH 3 Organic Mercury

Concentrations  Gas 0.1 to 1000 ug/m3  Condensate 0.1 to 2000 ppb  SE Asia 500 ug/m3, 800 ppb condensate  South America 100 ug/m3 wellhead, 40 ug/m3 export; 100 ppb condensate  Algeria, Offshore Holland, Indonesia, China, Argentina, Venezuela

Measuring Mercury in Air

Jerome Mercury Analyzer Mercury in air

Jerome Detector Gold wire detector

Measuring Mercury in Gas Mercury traps

Measuring Mercury in Solids and Liquids Combustion Method

PDO CPP

Why worry?  Mercury and mercury compounds are in natural gas, condensate and crude oil.  You cannot smell, see or taste mercury.  Mercury and its compounds are neurotoxins meaning they are poisonous to the brain.

Mercury is successfully dealt with in virtually all gas production and processing facilities without risk to workers or negative impact on efficient operations. Risk Analysis

Mercury is volatile and you can absorb it through your lungs if it is in the air you breathe. Some forms in condensate can be absorbed into the body through the skin. Mercury and its compounds are neurotoxins meaning they are poisonous to the brain. How can I be exposed?

Where can I be exposed?  Cleaning tanks, vessels and equipment  Hot work on corroded metals  Maintenance, changing filters  Glycol unit

Follow safety policy and procedures Ask the Safety Officer Monitor the worksite Use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Stay clean (good hygiene) Avoiding Exposure Safety

Avoiding Exposure  Training  Wear PPE when required  Cartridge Respirators (Hg 0 < 0.5 mg/m 3 )  BA (Hg 0 > 0.5 mg/m 3 )  Gloves  Chemical suits in some situations

Avoiding Exposure Chemical Suits  Barricade  4H  Responder  Tyvek

Worker Hygiene  Wash hands and shower after working  Use disposable clothing or segregate laundry  Do not eat in work area Shutdown Procedures

Respirators NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MERCURY IN AIR: UP TO 0.5 mg/m 3 : Chemical cartridge respirator or SAR. UP TO 1.25 mg/m 3 : SAR operated in a continuous-flow mode; or powered air- purifying respirator with cartridge(s) to protect against mercury compounds (canister)*. UP TO 2.5 mg/m 3 : Full-facepiece chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) to protect against mercury compounds*; or SAR with a tight-fitting facepiece operated in a continuous-flow mode; or full-facepiece SCBA; or full- facepiece SAR. UP TO 10 mg/m 3 : Positive pressure SAR. Abbreviations: SAR = supplied-air respirator; SCBA = self- contained breathing apparatus; IDLH = immediately dangerous to life or health.

Symptoms of Acute Exposure  Shortness of breath  Nausea  Chest pain  Blurred vision

Symptoms of Chronic Exposure  Loss of memory  Depression  Confusion  Personality change  Dementia

Mercury Waste  Used PPE  Sludge  Debris  Sorbents  Filters Solid Waste

Mercury Waste  Glycol  Decon Solutions  Condensate Liquid Waste

Mercury Waste Flow

Mercury Sludge  Mercury is a hazardous waste above 200 ppb.  Keep mercury wastes separate from other wastes

Disposal of Mercury Waste  Double bag  Add sulfur  Drum  Label Storage

Waste Handling and Storage  Store mercury in metal containers in a secure area.  Exercise caution when decanting liquid mercury.  Mercury is incompatible with bleach and other oxidizers  Mercury is incompatible with acids

Decontamination

Metals - degrease Metals - chemical clean Plastics - throw away

Decontamination Vapor Test Test for contamination

Corrosion

Next Steps  Review safety policy  Review PPE requirements  Know action levels  If you have questions, ask the Safety Officer

Mercury is successfully dealt with in virtually all gas production and processing facilities without risk to workers or negative impact on efficient operations. Risk Analysis