Operating Process Equipment - Fire

A Learning Event Bulletin related to Operating Process Equipment - Fire.

What Happened?

A newly constructed gas gathering network was filled with inert nitrogen gas. During commissioning, methane was introduced at low pressure from the live network to displace the nitrogen gas. This forces the nitrogen gas to vent towards the atmosphere at vents installed throughout the network. A worker was walking towards the Low Pressure Header (LPH) to measure the concentration of methane, when a fire ignited at a riser valve on the LPH. The worker was within 2 metres of the riser valve pit at the time of ignition. Away from the site of the fire, the field team isolated the main valve and second valve half way down to limit gas volumes. The fire was managed by Fire Emergency Services until it burned out. It reached approximately 15 metres in height, burning for 2 hours, severely damaging adjacent infrastructure and equipment. Nobody was hurt during this incident.