Flash Fire During Portable Well Testing Operations
Effective Date: 3/18/1988
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 154
March 18, 1988
Flash Fire During Portable Well Testing Operations
A flash fire occurred during well testing operations using portable equipment. Propane gas provided fuel through synthetic tubing to the line heater. Gas leaking from the synthetic tubing ignited when the main burner of the heater ignited. A fire resulted and one operator was burned. The fire was immediately extinguished and there was no equipment damage. The synthetic tubing was temporarily replaced with stainless steel tubing, and operations resumed.
To prevent a recurrence of the subject accident, the lessee should use only flexible hoses designed for liquid petroleum gas service. In addition, the fire tube, flange around the fire tube, and bull plug in the opening (for manual ignition) to the fire tube should be insulated to prevent these areas from providing an ignition source.