Fire -- Glycol Ignited
Effective Date: 2/10/1977
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 056
February 10, 1977
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire -- Glycol Ignited
A fire recently occurred on an offshore production platform when leaking glycol ignited. A leak developed in the packing of a flange where a compressor exhaust line entered the reboiler. The glycol was absorbed by the insulation on the exhaust line and ignited when it contacted the hot surface of the exhaust. The fire was extinguished immediately and only minor damage to the insulation resulted. The packing was replaced and the leak stopped.
To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator is taking the following action:
It is planned to install baffling and piping to remove any future leakage of glycol from the area of the exhaust.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area