OvV report - emission of fuel gas, Shell Nederland Raffinaderij BV, Pernis, 17 February 2007

On 17 February 2007, during cleaning work at Shell Nederland Raffinaderij B.V. in Rotterdam, a protruding section of pipeline attached to a vessel (stub) which had been stripped off was very probably hit by an excavator and partially severed. The fuel gas supply to this vessel had not been closed and this resulted in the release of approximately twenty tonnes of fuel gas. There was no ignition, so the incident was limited to an emission of flammable fuel gas. The fire brigade used water screens to limit the spread of the gas.

Significance score:

Clarity:

Summary investigation report with lessons learned - the insufficient recognition of the risks of damage to the process installation filled with fuel gas by manipulations with excavators when granting the work permit. filled process installation by manipulations with excavators when granting the work permit. - The emergency shutdown procedure did not sufficiently ensure that the installation was shut down properly.

Target Group(s):

• HSE managers
• Site managers
• Strategic leadership
• Supervisors

Risk Theme:

• Monitoring and Learning - Learning from Incidents