Asset Integrity Summit in Muscat to hold real-life demonstrations

This workshop aims to tackle complacency and heighten awareness of employees towards risk.

The workshop will include a simulation of a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion); the attendees will be able to experience the release of thermal energy and can therefore upscale it according to production and operational rates of their organisations.

There will also be a container gas leak ignition demonstration which will imitate a gas ignition, using an electric spark, inside a container with 3x3m of butane gas. A dummy is positioned at the container opening to observe the impact of an ignition of a small quantity of gas on an individual.

Using a smoke generator on a "rig platform", delegates will observe the pattern of a 1.5 bar gas leak escape, how quickly gas can spread across a large area within a matter of seconds, and how potential ignition sources in the areas covered by smoke would cause an explosion. They will also experience the feel of thermal energy generated by the jet fire, by using a 2-inch pipe, a 2.5 bar gas pressure is produced at the pipe opening. Large production platforms would generate pressures equivalent to 50 times the pressure used for the simulation.

The workshop will be held at the International College of Engineering and Management and will provide hands-on experience and real-life understanding of the characteristics and effects of various fires, explosions and similar hazardous events in the oil and gas industry. These demonstrations are designed for all personnel at both operational and administrative levels in oil, gas and petrochemical companies.

Over 150 oil and gas industry experts will join key representatives from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and the Ministry of Oil and Gas Oman during the 8th Annual Asset Integrity Management Summit, organized by IQPC, at the Grand Hyatt Muscat from 12 - 15 May 2013.