Lloyd's Register's (LR) Guidance Notes for the Calculation of Probabilistic Explosion Loads provide recommended practices to help engineers, operators and designers to define blast and explosion loads to control and mitigate risk measures in offshore operations.
The new Guidance Notes provide information on how to establish explosion loads based on probability considerations of different operating oil and gas scenarios.
Designed for Accidental Blast Loading
To maximise safety in offshore operations, structures and equipment that could be subjected to blast pressures need to be designed for accidental blast loading. This approach by LR allows for a detailed examination and assessment through a range of probabilistic risk assessment techniques, which help companies to predict possible explosion scenarios.
A wide variety of measures can be used by companies operating offshore to prevent, control and mitigate the effects of explosions. Whilst the emphasis should always be on explosion prevention (for instance through prevention of leaks or elimination of ignition sources), the possible accumulation and ignition of a flammable hydrocarbon-air mix cannot always be eliminated.
LNG and LPG
The LR methodology can be applied to any offshore unit where gas explosion hazards are possible. It also includes special guidance on how to handle leak scenarios from LNG plants, which can be caused by ‘flashing’ of cryogenic liquids into the atmosphere such as LNG and LPG.
Rules for Offshore Units
The new Guidance Notes for the Calculation of Probabilistic Explosion Loads work alongside LR’s Rules for Offshore Units. These Rules provide the oil and gas industry with confidence that their assets are designed and constructed to internationally recognised standards.
