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PREFACE
These guidelines were prepared as part of the chemical working environment
industry project in the oil and gas industry and are recommended by Norwegian Oil
and Gas expert network for occupational hygiene, the expert network for health and
working environment, Norwegian Oil and Gas HSE Managers Forum and Norwegian
Oil and Gas operations committee. Furthermore, it has been approved by the director
general.
The work group has been composed of the following members:
Ron Bmer, Exxon Mobil
Trond Magne Schei, ConocoPhillips
Heidi Lovisa Forssell, Statoil
Steffen Skogland, Statoil
Eric Sanderson, A/S Norske Shell
Andrea L. Mahugh, Marathon
Eivind Nilsen, BP/Talisman
Jakob Nrheim, Norwegian Oil and Gas
Hege M. Hgan / Elise N. Eriksen / Petter Hven (PortSide, hired facilitator)
The responsible manager in Norwegian Oil and Gas is the HSE manager who can be
contacted via Norwegian Oil and Gas switchboard at +47 51 84 65 00.
These guidelines have been prepared with broad-based participation from
stakeholders in the Norwegian petroleum industry, and are owned by the Norwegian
petroleum industry, represented by Norwegian Oil and Gas. Norwegian Oil and Gas is
responsible for administration.
Norwegian Oil and Gas
Vassbotnen 1, 4313 Sandnes
P.O. Box 8065
4068 Stavanger
Telephone: + 47 51 84 65 00
Fax: + 47 51 84 65 01
Website: www.norskoljeoggass.no
E-mail: firmapost@norog.no
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CONTENTS
PREFACE................................................................................................................................. 2
CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. 3
1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Purpose ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Regulations and limit values ............................................................................................. 4
1.3 Terminology ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.4 References ................................................................................................................................ 5
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
These guidelines were prepared to support the enterprises in the work to reduce the
risk of mercury exposure in the petroleum industry. The guideline recommends
measures to avoid exposure when handling and processing crude oil and natural gas,
as well as handling equipment that has been contaminated with mercury.
As regards waste management, reference is made to Norwegian Oil and Gas
recommended guidelines for waste management in the offshore activities, no. 093.
All enterprises must identify where mercury exposure may occur. The risk must be
assessed by competent personnel and measures (barriers) must be implemented to
reduce and control the risk. The quality of these barriers must be regularly verified.
Necessary information and training must be provided.
1.3 Terminology
The ALARP principle is stipulated in the petroleum regulations and states that risk
should be reduced as low as reasonably practicable.
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1.4 References
Norwegian Oil and Gas Recommended guidelines for waste management in the
offshore activities, no. 093
http://www.norskoljeoggass.no/en/Publica/Guidelines/Enviornment/093Recommended-guidelines-for-Waste-Management-in-the-offshore-industryNEW-REVISION-PR-21022013-/
Norwegian oil and gas recommended guidelines for fit testing of respiratory
protective equipment, no. 133
http://www.norskoljeoggass.no/en/Publica/Guidelines/Health-workingenvironment-safety/Working-enviornment/133-Recommended-guidelinesfor-fit-testing-of-respiratory-protective-equipment/
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Metallic mercury reacts with a number of metals, and particularly easily with
aluminium. Mercury accumulates in carbon steel, but not stainless steel. Metallic
mercury also reacts with strong acids.
Toxic by inhalation.
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Chronic exposure to mercury can cause permanent brain and kidney damage, and can
be fatal. Damage to the nervous system can affect mobility and cognitive abilities.
Mercury can accumulate in the body. Chronic exposure to mercury can result in
weakness, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss and disturbances in the stomach and
intestines. Tremors can also occur. It often starts with fingers, eyelids and lips, and
then progresses to general tremors throughout the body, as well as severe chronic
spasms in the extremities. At the same time as the tremors are developing,
behavioural and personality changes may occur, which could result in increased
anxiety, memory loss, insomnia and depression. Abnormal blushing, exaggerated
perspiration and rashes may occur. Severe drooling and inflammation of the gums are
also characteristic of chronic mercury exposure. Irritation of the airways and eczema
are some of the milder symptoms.
Foetuses are very sensitive to the effects of mercury and it cannot be excluded that
mercury may have a negative effect on fertility.
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3 RISK ASSESSMENT
We recommend that installations and equipment be categorised according to the
probable occurrence of mercury.
It is difficult to imagine a safe level for mercury exposure, and risk assessment and
measures should therefore be based on the ALARP principle.
Red *
Yellow
> 100 ppb mercury
concentration (per. batch
raw material or well)
> 10 ppb mercury
5-10 ppb mercury
concentration (calendar
concentration (calendar
month average per
month average per
raw material/well)
raw material/well)
Processing of every crude
oil and gas delivery that is
processed for mercury by
the upstream producer
Accumulated
mercury/deposits found
in equipment over the last
five years, or since the
last planned shutdown
and last time equipment
was cleaned
*Only one of the criteria has to be fulfilled
Green
The colour classification reflects the magnitude of risk management necessary for a
specific installation. For example, a red installation will require more mercury
management than a green installation. Green installations generally do not need a
mercury programme, but we recommend carrying out inspections on any equipment
labelled red to verify this. All installations with adequate mercury management have
a low risk of mercury-related incidents.
The Essay for crude oil and natural gas condensate provides information on potential
mercury content, but the essays are not necessarily exhaustive for mercury.
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Red
Equipment suspected of
being polluted with
mercury
Yellow
Possibility of finding
mercury, but not very
probable
Green
Not probable to find
mercury in this equipment
Metallic mercury most often occurs in the light part of the hydrocarbons (C3-C5) and
in mud. All surfaces on the inside of process equipment containing liquid are
considered to be polluted with mercury. The absence of visible mercury does not
mean that there is no mercury in systems contaminated with mercury. Mercury can
accumulate on steel surfaces and partially diffuse into the steel. When there is contact
between hydrocarbons and water, mercury can also be found in the water phase.
Mercury is typically associated with:
Process equipment with C3 C5 flows
Flows that are chilled (e.g. in heat exchangers)
Equipment made of carbon steel or aluminium
Equipment coated with a protective material or cement (e.g. drums)
In order to divide the equipment into the three categories, the following criteria can
be used as keywords:
Hydrocarbons C3-C5
Heat exchangers - Coolers
Knock out effect pressure loss
Centrifugal force, hydrocyclones
Filter effect
Absolute temperature
Distribution in water phase, produced water
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Sludge catchers
Desalters
Propane/butane tanks
Mercury traps
Associated piping/pipes could also be contaminated with mercury, normally mercury
salts.
An overview of possible systems contaminated with mercury is shown in Appendix 3.
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Work tasks
Disassembly of flanges, blind flanges, nozzles, baffles
Cutting, welding and other mechanical work
Flow line inspections
Replacing glycol filters
Depressurisation
Installation and removal of blinds
Steaming/cleaning
Opening manholes
Sampling
Draining
Waste handling
Cleaning tanks/entry
Removing gas filters
Inspections in tanks, derricks, etc.
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during heat test (heating of metal) before steaming, welding, cutting and
other hot work
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4 RISK MANAGEMENT
We recommend a system for approval of crude oil and gas condensate prior to
introduction in the process trains.
The most important control measure is to design the facility so that exposure to
people is minimal. Risk can otherwise be controlled using technical measures (e.g.
mercury traps, closed cleaning system), administrative measures (e.g. safety
instructions, work procedures) and personal protective equipment. For the
downstream industry we recommend a procedure/system for approval of crude oil
and gas condensate to ensure risk management. A sound system is crucial if an
installation must use crude oil or natural gas condensate with high mercury content.
4.1 Design
When designing and engineering new installations, or when modifying existing
installations, consideration must be given to the mercury content in the production
stream/flow. This is particularly important when ordering long-lead-items
(separator, scrubber, etc.).
The choice of materials and technical solutions such as mercury traps, closed system
for steaming/cleaning, etc. affect the exposure risk for personnel.
Mercury traps should be used up front in the process facility to protect against
mercury exposure and for better control of mercury later in the process train. This
also affects the product quality and protects materials. Mercury traps should be
considered for all installations classified as red or yellow.
Equipment should be designed so that cleaning can be carried out without personnel
being exposed to mercury. Closed systems are recommended.
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Mercury
concentration
Mercury exposure is
possible or proven
below the occupational
exposure limit
Mercury concentration
above occupational
exposure limit
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Clothing
Gloves
Footwear
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Reference is otherwise made to Norwegian Oil and Gas recommended guidelines for
waste management in the offshore activities, no. 093.