A lightning strike is the probable cause of an oil tank battery fire in Kansas. The fire occurred in August, engulfing four tank batteries and sending plumes of dark smoke into the area. No injuries were reported, but the incident is serving as a reminder of the dangers of lightning in the oil and gas industry.
Working in the oil and gas industry poses many hazards. Lightning is not one of the primary hazards that most workers and families consider. However, oil and gas facilities are fairly commonly struck by lightning or are affected by nearby strikes. With the flammable nature of these facilities, it is worth being aware of the hazards of lightning to oil tank battery facilities.
Below, the oil and gas injury attorneys explain the purpose of oil tank batteries, the hazards of working or living in or near these facilities, and how lightning poses a threat to workers in the oil and gas industry.
What is an Oil Tank Battery?
An oil tank battery is a facility or system used in the oil and gas industry to collect, store, and process oil and other fluids that are produced from a well. It’s typically located near the wellhead and is an essential part of onshore oil production operations.
The main functions of an oil tank battery include:
- Separating oil, water, and gas: When oil is pumped from the ground, it often comes mixed with natural gas, water, and other impurities. The tank battery helps separate these components.
- Storing oil: Once separate, the oil is stored in tanks until transportation to a refinery.
- Handling gas and water: Excess gas can either be vented, flared, or captured, and water is typically stored in separate tanks for disposal or re-injection.
A typical oil tank battery consists of several components, including:
- Storage tanks: For oil and water.
- Separator: A device to separate oil, gas, and water.
- Heater treater: Used to treat the oil by removing water or impurities.
- Piping and valves: To control the flow of fluids between different components.
The design and size of an oil tank battery can vary depending on the size of the well and production capacity.
What are the Hazards of Working or Living Near an Oil Tank Battery?
Working or living near an oil tank battery poses several hazards due to the volatile nature of oil and gas, the potential for equipment malfunction, and environmental risks. These hazards can result in serious injuries or health issues, and in some cases, fatalities. Here are the primary risks:
Fire and Explosions
- Flammable substances: Oil and natural gas are highly flammable. If there’s a leak or equipment malfunction, these materials can ignite, causing devastating fires or explosions.
- Vapors and gases: Oil tank batteries can release flammable vapors, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like methane. If these vapors reach an ignition source, they can trigger an explosion.
- Static electricity: Sparks caused by static electricity can ignite the combustible substances around the tank battery.
- Lightning strikes: Oil tank batteries, particularly in open areas, are at risk of lightning strikes, which can cause fires or explosions.
Toxic Exposure
- Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S): This toxic and potentially lethal gas is sometimes produced during oil extraction. Exposure to even small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can cause respiratory distress, nausea, or unconsciousness. In higher concentrations, it can be fatal.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Prolonged exposure to VOCs, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and long-term health problems like cancer.
- Ground and air contamination: Oil tank batteries can leak or spill hazardous chemicals, contaminating nearby soil and water sources. Prolonged exposure to contaminated air or water may lead to serious health issues.
Environmental Pollution
- Soil and water contamination: Leaks or spills from the tanks can lead to oil and chemical seepage into the ground, potentially contaminating groundwater. This can pose long-term risks to the environment and nearby communities that rely on clean water sources.
- Air pollution: Oil tank batteries often vent gas, releasing pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and methane into the atmosphere. This contributes to air quality deterioration, which can impact respiratory health.
Equipment Failures
- Tank ruptures or overflows: Improper maintenance or malfunctioning equipment can cause tanks to rupture or overflow, releasing hazardous substances.
- Valve or piping failures: Leaks in the piping systems or faulty valves can lead to dangerous oil or gas leaks.
- Pressure buildup: High-pressure systems in oil tank batteries, if not properly monitored, can lead to equipment blowouts or explosions.
Health Risks
- Respiratory issues: Workers and nearby residents may experience respiratory problems due to exposure to fumes, gases, and dust.
- Long-term health effects: Continuous exposure to toxic substances like benzene or hydrogen sulfide can cause chronic health problems such as neurological damage, liver or kidney disease, and cancer.
Accidents and Injuries
- Slips, trips, and falls: Oil tank batteries can have slippery surfaces due to oil spills, leading to fall-related injuries.
- Mechanical injuries: Workers are at risk of injuries from heavy equipment, tools, and machinery used in maintaining and operating the tank battery.
- Electrocution: Oil tank batteries often have electrical systems that, if poorly maintained or grounded, can lead to electrocution hazards.
Noise Pollution
- High noise levels: Oil tank batteries often have compressors and other machinery that produce loud noise, which can cause hearing damage to workers or disturb nearby residents.
Odor Issues
- Foul odors: The release of gases such as hydrogen sulfide can produce a “rotten egg” smell. This is unpleasant for people living nearby and indicates the presence of potentially dangerous gases.
Weather-Related Risks
- Flooding: If an oil tank battery is in a flood-prone area, the risk of oil spills and contamination increases during extreme weather events.
- Lightning: Lightning can strike metal facilities causing sparks and igniting flammable materials.
- Storm damage: Severe weather, including tornadoes or hurricanes, can damage oil tank batteries, leading to leaks, fires, or other hazards.
Proximity to Population Centers
- Impact on nearby communities: People living near oil tank batteries may be at greater risk of exposure to air pollution, toxic chemicals, and environmental contamination, which can lead to long-term health problems, property damage, and decreased quality of life.
Oil tank batteries pose significant hazards to both workers and nearby residents, ranging from acute risks like fires and explosions to chronic risks such as toxic exposure and environmental contamination. Adequate safety measures, monitoring, and maintenance are essential to mitigate these dangers.
How is Lightning a Hazard to Oil and Gas Workers?
Lightning is a significant hazard to oil and gas workers due to the highly flammable nature of the materials they work with, such as crude oil, natural gas, and vapors that can easily ignite. When lightning strikes or electrical surges occur in areas where oil and gas operations are taking place, several dangerous situations can arise, including fires, explosions, and equipment damage. Below are key ways in which lightning poses risks to oil and gas workers:
Ignition of Flammable Materials
- Direct strikes: Lightning can directly strike storage tanks, pipelines, or other equipment containing flammable liquids or gases. This can create a spark that ignites the oil, gas, or vapors, leading to fires or catastrophic explosions.
- Vapor ignition: Oil and gas operations often produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and vapors, which can accumulate around tanks, separators, and other equipment. A lightning strike can easily ignite these vapors, causing a fire to spread rapidly across the site.
- Ground currents: When lightning strikes the ground near oil and gas facilities, the electrical current can travel through the earth and ignite nearby flammable substances, causing underground fires or explosions.
Fires and Explosions
- Storage tank explosions: Oil and gas storage tanks are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes. The highly flammable contents can ignite when a tank is struck, resulting in a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). This is a powerful and deadly explosion that occurs when flammable liquids boil rapidly and expand due to intense heat.
- Processing equipment fires: Processing equipment, such as separators and heat treaters, often contain mixtures of oil, gas, and water. If lightning strikes or damages this equipment, it can cause fires or explosions that threaten the lives of workers nearby.
Electrical Surges and Equipment Damage
- Electrical system failures: Oil and gas sites use various electrical systems, such as pumps, compressors, and sensors, that can be damaged by lightning. Electrical surges can cause equipment to malfunction, leading to operational hazards such as leaks, uncontrolled releases of oil or gas, or equipment shutdowns that may leave workers exposed to unsafe conditions.
- Power outages: A lightning strike may cause temporary or long-term power outages, compromising the safety systems that monitor pressure, temperature, or other critical factors. Without these systems functioning properly, oil and gas workers are at increased risk of dangerous operating conditions.
Worker Injuries from Shock or Trauma
- Electrocution: Workers can be directly electrocuted by lightning if they are in proximity to a lightning strike, especially if they are working on or near tall structures like rigs, derricks, or pipelines that attract lightning. The risk is heightened if workers are handling conductive materials like metal tools or standing on wet surfaces.
- Shock wave injuries: The immense energy released by a lightning strike creates a shock wave that can physically knock workers down or cause secondary injuries from falling objects, debris, or equipment failures.
- Thermal burns: Workers may suffer thermal burns from direct lightning contact or from being near equipment that heats up due to a strike. The high temperatures caused by lightning can reach thousands of degrees, causing severe burns on exposed skin or through clothing.
Structural Damage and Secondary Hazards
- Damage to infrastructure: Lightning strikes can damage essential structures on oil and gas sites, such as drilling rigs, processing equipment, and pipelines. This damage can lead to the release of flammable materials, increasing the likelihood of fires or explosions and putting workers at further risk.
- Hazardous leaks: Damage to containment systems, tanks, or piping can result in the uncontrolled release of oil, gas, or chemicals. In the presence of residual lightning activity, these leaks can turn into ignition points for fires or explosions.
Environmental and Occupational Hazards
- Toxic fume exposure: If lightning causes a fire or explosion, it can release toxic fumes, including hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon monoxide, or other dangerous chemicals. Workers exposed to these fumes may suffer from respiratory distress, poisoning, or long-term health issues.
- Emergency evacuations: Lightning storms may necessitate emergency evacuations, which can be chaotic and dangerous in industrial settings. Workers may be at risk of injury while trying to exit hazardous areas or while handling emergency shutdowns during an active storm.
Risk to Remote or Isolated Workers
- Difficulty in providing immediate medical assistance: Many oil and gas workers operate in remote or isolated locations, which can delay the arrival of medical teams or emergency services in the event of a lightning strike incident. This increases the potential severity of injuries and complicates rescue efforts.
Preventive Measures for Lightning Hazards
To mitigate the risks of lightning to oil and gas workers, companies should adopt rigorous safety protocols, including:
- Lightning detection systems: These systems can help provide early warnings of approaching storms, allowing workers to take cover or shut down operations in advance.
- Proper grounding and bonding: Equipment and structures should be properly grounded to prevent electrical surges from lightning. Bonding equipment can minimize the risk of electrical arcing that can ignite flammable materials.
- Safe shelters: Designated lightning-safe shelters should be available for workers to take cover during storms.
- Shutdown procedures: Sites should have protocols in place for shutting down critical equipment and operations when lightning is imminent, reducing the risk of fires, explosions, or equipment damage.
Lightning is a significant hazard in oil and gas operations due to its potential to ignite flammable materials, cause equipment failures, and pose direct physical harm to workers. Proper safety precautions and preparedness are essential to reduce the risks associated with lightning strikes.
Get Help after an Oil Tank Battery Fire
An oil tank battery fire can cause devastating injuries and long-term health complications. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an oil tank battery fire, the attorneys at Kherkher Garcia are here to help. Our experienced legal team understands the complexities of oilfield accidents and will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Oil companies often prioritize profits over safety, but you don’t have to face the aftermath of a fire alone. Let us investigate the incident, identify responsible parties, and hold them accountable. At Kherkher Garcia, we’re dedicated to securing justice for injured workers and their families.
Don’t wait – contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you recover after an oil tank battery fire. Call us at 713-333-1030, or submit our online contact form to get started.
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