1. H2S Awareness Hydrogen Sulfide in the Oil & Gas Industry Presented by Dan Klimek Sisk & Company

2. Why review H2S safety?
Good safety practices require that all personnel working in an area where concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide may exceed the 10 Parts Per Million (PPM) should be provided with training before beginning work assignments.

3. Training Requirements
Safe practices and regulations require training
Most operators require awareness level training for all personnel at facilities when potential for exposure exists
Other OSHA standards come into play when potential for exposure above 10 parts-per-million (ppm) exists
Your company policies

4. ANSI Z
This standard identifies accepted training practices for H2S training
Much of what we cover is based on ANSI recommendations
OSHA does not have specific rules, but uses recommendations from NIOSH, ANSI, API, etc.
H2S quick card

5. H2S contingency plan required per API for Operators
Appropriate instruction in the use of hydrogen sulfide safety equipment to all personnel present at all hydrogen sulfide hazard areas.
Gas detection where hydrogen sulfide may exist.
Appropriate respiratory protection for normal and emergency use.
Respiratory Protection Standard, [29 CFR ] (H2S).

6. Objectives To Provide an Awareness of:
Hydrogen sulfide properties & hazards
Sources of H2S & Detection methods
How H2S affects people - Exposure controls - Protective measures
Work practices
Emergency response considerations
Regulations & guidelines

7. Hydrogen Sulfide Guidelines
Applicability
Most Operators have
Hydrogen Sulfide Guidelines
That apply to:
All facilities owned / operated by operators
All employees & contingent personnel
Employer needs to provide awareness of the hazards you might experience

8. What should be covered in Operator’s Plan?
Hydrogen Sulfide detection methods used on the site.
Does operator have fixed system or do you use portable gas detectors?
If using your portable detectors
Calibration
Where is the meter?
Do you respond to alarms?
What is your plan if there is an alarm?

9. What should be covered in Operator’s Plan?
Confined space entry procedures
Locations and use of safety equipment
Locations of safe briefing areas
Emergency response procedures, corrective action, & shutdown procedures
Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide on the components of equipment on site

10. What should be covered in Operator’s Plan?
Wind direction awareness & routes of egress
Are wind socks on site?
Rescue techniques & 1st aid procedures to be used in a Hydrogen Sulfide exposure.
What does the operator expect and what “pre-planning” planning is done?
If operator expects you to do this, what do you do?
H2S concentration in tanks

11. Pre-job briefings
Material we just covered should be included in your pre-job briefing
No matter what is available on site, take responsibility to work safely, follow your procedures and use the equipment you have available

12. Physical & Chemical Properties
Chemical Name
Hydrogen Sulfide
Synonyms
Sulfereted hydrogen, hydrosulfuric acid, dihydrogen sulfide

13. Physical & Chemical Properties
Hydrocarbons that contain hydrogen sulfide are often referred to as “Sour Oil” or “Sour Gas”.

14. Physical & Chemical Properties
Chemical Formula: H2S Two hydrogen atoms attached to one sulfur atom Normal Physical State: Colorless, invisible gas, slightly heavier than air

15. Physical & Chemical Properties
Concentrations expressed in parts-per-million (ppm) 1% vapor by volume in air equals 10,000 ppm

16. Physical & Chemical Properties
Auto Ignition Temperature: 500o F
Boiling Point: -76o F
Melting Point: o F
Flash Point: o F
Vapor Density at 59o F & 1 atmosphere is 1.189
Flammable / Explosive Limits: 4.3% to 46% vapor by volume in air
***Forms an extremely explosive mixture with air ***
Combustibility: Burns in air with a blue flame and produces Sulfur Dioxide ( SO2 )
Solubility: Easily dissolved in & released from liquids such as water and oil
Corrosivity: Corrosive when dissolved in water
Toxicity: Irritating at low concentrations, can cause death at high concentrations

17. Odor
Has a distinctive “rotten eggs” smell at low concentrations ( 1 ppm + )
WARNING: At High Concentrations (100 ppm) over 2 to 15 minutes, Olfactory Nerve Paralysis - “loss of sense of smell” - occurs. The same thing can happen with long time exposure at low concentrations.
DO NOT RELY ON ODOR OR “SMELL” AS A DETECTION METHOD

18. Toxicity & Health Hazards
Concentrations Up to 10 ppm:
Detectable “rotten egg” odor
No recognized adverse health hazards
Max Accepted level - 10 PPM
STEL - 15 ppm averaged over 15 minutes, no more than 4 X per day - 60 minutes between successive exposures
OSHA PEL - 20 PPM (ceiling level)

19. Toxicity & Health Hazards
Concentrations of 10 – 100 ppm:
Increasing irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract over time
Coughing
Irritation of mucous membranes
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Intense odor with loss of sense of
smell occurring at 100 ppm
(NIOSH IDLH)

20. Toxicity & Health Hazards
Concentrations of 100 – 500 ppm
Loss of sense of smell
Severe irritation of eyes and respiratory tract
Drowsiness
100 ppm is considered as Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health(OSHA quick card)

21. Toxicity & Health Hazards
Concentrations of 800 – 1000 ppm
Nervous System Injury
Respiratory Paralysis
Loss of consciousness
Coma
Death

22. Toxicity & Health Hazards
Concentrations of 1000 – 2000 ppm
Unconsciousness or Death
with One Breath

23. A couple of terms
Acute exposure
Chronic exposure

24. Variables affecting symptoms
You - your size, physical condition, age, smoker, etc.
Interaction with drugs or alcohol
Medications
Harder for the body to filter toxins

25. Low Concentration Signs & Symptoms
Eye irritation
Headaches
Nausea
Coughing
Sore Throat
Lungs Fill with Fluid
Loss of Appetite
Loss of Sleep

26. High Concentration Signs & Symptoms
Loss of Sense of Smell
Burning Eyes
Coughing / Sneezing
Headaches
Nausea
Diarrhea
Lungs Fill with Fluid
Breathing Stops
Brain Damage
Heart Stops Beating

27. Occupational Exposure Limits
No OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (8-hour/day limit)
NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit : 10 ppm (Time Weighted Average – 8-hour day)
Short Term Exposure Limit – 15 minute period: ppm
OSHA Ceiling Concentration: 20 ppm
Maximum Peak – 10 minutes at 50 ppm – if no other exposure occurs during the same 8-hour work period
IDLH – 100 ppm

28. Occupational Exposure Limits
450 ppm: Lethal Dose (LD 50)
10 ppm is the General Industry Accepted Practice

29. Typical Exposure Practice
Personnel without respiratory protection shall exit an area when H2S concentrations reach 10 ppm or higher
When meter sounds alarm – leave quickly – go up wind
Operator may require your company to have escape respirator.

30. Physical Hazards
Highly flammable Hydrogen sulfide is highly flammable and can explode in concentrations of air under 5%. This level of flammability causes a high risk of fire and explosion

31. Physical Hazards
Produces hazardous by-products By-products, such as sulfur dioxide, are produced when hydrogen sulfide is burned. These by-products add an additional risk of exposure.

32. Physical Hazards
Corrosive Hydrogen sulfide is highly corrosive to some metals. This corrosion can cause structural damage to objects in the work area, such as tanks, pipes, valves and increases the risk of injury.

33. Hydrogen Sulfide Corrosion
Metals can become brittle
Contractors should take precautions when choosing equipment that can reasonably be expect to encounter H2S
You need to look for corrosion concerns when working on equipment
e.g. ladders failing, “stuff breaking”
e.g. piping systems, valves failing

34. Physical Hazards
Denser than air Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and can accumulate in low-lying areas, such as sewers, sumps, pits or wells where liquids collect, ditches and excavations. This accumulation can be deadly when working in confined spaces. Not only can you suffer from the health affects of this accumulation, but H2S may also displace available oxygen, making it even more dangerous.

35. Sources of H2S Component of Natural Gas & Crude Oil
Caves, Mines, Volcanoes, Hot Springs
Decaying organic matter: sewers, landfills, etc.
Other industries likely to have H2S
Breweries
Tanneries
Chemical Processes

36. Occurrence in Oil & Gas Industry
Component of Crude Oil & Natural Gas
Produced Water
Condensate
Tanks
Pits
Valve Vaults

37. Classification of sites by Operators
All well-drilling sites should be classified according to areas of potential and/or actual exposure to H2S. The recommendations and employee instruction will vary depending on the type of area.
No Hazard Condition
API Condition I - Low Hazard
API Condition II - Medium Hazard
API Condition III - High Hazard

38. No Hazard Area
Any well that will not penetrate / has not penetrated a known Hydrogen Sulfide formation would be categorized as a No Hazard Area.
Special Hydrogen Sulfide equipment is not required.

39. API Condition I Low Hazard
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are less than 10ppm.
Recommended for Area: Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with green flag warning device present.
Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order.
Store the equipment in accessible locations.

40. API Condition II Medium Hazard
Atmospheric concentrations of H2S are greater than 10ppm and less than 30ppm.
Recommended for Area: Legible Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with yellow flag warning device present.
Keep a safe distance from dangerous locations if not working to decrease danger.
Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems.

41. API Condition II Medium Hazard – (continued)
Follow the guidance of the operator representative.
Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order.
Store the equipment in accessible locations.
An oxygen resuscitator.
A properly calibrated, metered hydrogen sulfide detection instrument.

42. API Condition III High Hazard
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are greater than 30ppm.
Recommended for Area: Post legible Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with red flag warning device.
Post signs 500 feet from the location on each road leading to the location, warning of the hydrogen sulfide hazard.

43. API Condition III High Hazard – (continued)
Check all Hydrogen Sulfide safety equipment to ensure readiness before each tour change.
Establish a means of communication or instruction for emergency procedures and maintain them on location, along with contact information of persons to be informed in case of emergencies.
Ensure usability of two exits at each location.

44. API Condition III High Hazard – (continued)
Do not permit employees on location without hydrogen Sulfide safety training.
Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems.
Store the equipment in accessible locations.

45. API Condition III High Hazard – (continued)
Recommended equipment
Two Hydrogen Sulfide detectors should be present (meter and detector tubes)
Oxygen resuscitator
Three wind socks and streamers
Two NIOSH/MSHA 30-minute, self-contained breathing apparatus for emergency escape from the contaminated area only

46. SCBA and Escape bottles are different.
Respirators - OSHA highlight
Respirator quick card

47. Detection Methods
Air Monitoring Air monitoring is used to determine the amount of hydrogen sulfide present in the air or in a gas stream. The more hydrogen sulfide there is, the more frequently air monitoring must be done to make sure the levels stay safe.
Gas Monitoring Basics

48. Detection Methods: Air Monitoring
Air monitoring is performed with the
Following devices and methods:
Single gas or Multi-gas monitors
Monitoring badges worn by employees
Fixed monitors
continuously measure the hydrogen sulfide present in the air
Alarms that can be seen and heard when set points are exceeded
Coated strips that change color when exposed to hydrogen sulfide
Colorimetric detection tubes
Wind socks located in various locations to monitor air direction in the event of a hydrogen sulfide release.

49. Additional air monitoring
Additionally, air monitoring is performed when:
There has been a change in a process that may result in new or additional exposures to hydrogen sulfide, or there is reason to suspect such a change.
Spills, leaks, ruptures or other breakdowns occur. Monitoring is performed after clean-up or repair to ensure that exposures have returned to the previous level.

50. Protection & Controls
Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally so eliminating it completely is not always an option. If the presence of hydrogen sulfide is suspected or confirmed, the operator should provide and implement a written control plan that uses various engineering controls, work practice controls and PPE to control employee exposure

51. Protection & Controls Engineering controls
The most effective engineering control for hydrogen sulfide is ventilation.
Natural ventilation —natural air flow (e.g., working outdoors). Your company may put wind socks in the air so that you can see the direction the wind is blowing. In the event of an alarm indicating a hydrogen sulfide release, you can escape the danger by heading in the opposite direction from where you believe the hydrogen sulfide came.
Mechanical ventilation — Fans and blowers are used to ventilate areas where hydrogen sulfide is suspected, such as in confined spaces.

52. Protection & Controls
Work practices used to avoid possible hydrogen sulfide exposure include the use of:
Signs
that warn of the presence of H2S may be placed in hazardous areas.
Job contingency planning
Since hydrogen sulfide is often found in low-lying confined spaces, such as pits and tanks, most operators have developed confined space entry guidelines for these types of environments

53. Contingency plans
Most operators have developed contingency plans for response in the event of a hydrogen sulfide release.
Communication and emergency notification plans are developed to help protect employees, and the community. These plans include the evacuation response needed for worst-case scenarios. In creating the plan many variables are considered, such as:
wind speed and direction
weather conditions
gas release rate and temperature
gas concentration
geographical environment

54. Personal Protective Equipment
Protection & Controls
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE is the least preferred method of controlling exposure to hazardous substances
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is recommended to work in H2S atmosphere
Must receive training if SCBA is used
Other PPE, such as full protective body suits, may be required in certain conditions

55. Emergency Response In the event of a release or alarm, you should:
Activate the facility Emergency Response Plan
Evacuate through the nearest exit leading outdoors.  If already outdoors, move in a crosswind or upwind direction.
Call or signal for help and tell the rescuers of the situation
Do a head count and evaluate the site hazards
Remember, you are not trained in rescue

56. If a person is exposed to H2S, do the following:
First Aid
If a person is exposed to H2S, do the following:
Make sure YOU are adequately protected. Don’t risk being overcome by vapors and becoming an additional victim. Remember, just one breath is all it takes to affect you.
Get the victim away from the high exposure area and to fresh air immediately. Remember to go upwind or crosswind to avoid the H2S gas.
Give oxygen or artificial respiration if indicated.
Seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms should disappear shortly after removal from the exposed area at moderate concentrations of H2S. However, you should ALWAYS seek medical attention if exposed to H2S.

57. H2S Awareness Review H2S may be present at all locations
Know how to use your monitors
Rescuers need to use SCBA and other PPE – You are not trained to do this
Get to fresh air if alarm sounds – everyone!

58. Questions?