BiliranIsland.com Staff
BiliranIsland.com
First Posted 18:29:00 06/20/2014
Yesterday, 19 June 2014 at around 2:15 in the afternoon, we flow tested well BN-4 after series of gas bleeding for several days. While the well was discharging gas and while waiting for the steam to flow, people working in the area were evacuated to a higher and safer ground to avoid possible inhalation of gas. Several minutes after reaching the safer ground, our gas detector started to beep, hence, the team started to move out in a safer area. At this juncture, my colleague started to fell down one after the other.
After rescuing the victims, Johannes Smari Porarinsson, Porstein Sigmarsson, Kevin Hasler, Armando Licup, Noland Maceda, Honey Rhoey Romero, Lee Marvin Moran and Victoriano Rosario were sent to Biliran Provincial Hospital for check-up and treatment. Jesusito Nimo did not undergone check-up.
Of the eight victims, three are member of the HSES team. They are Kevin Hasler, Honey Rhoey Romero and Lee Marvin Moran who had longer exposure in the area because of their nature of work, which is to rescue. The first two patients were sent to Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu by chopper for further check-up while Lee Marvin was sent to Ormoc Doctors Hospital also for further check-up. All these three has an asthmatic history. As of 11:30 AM today, it was reported to us that the above-mentioned names are in good condition. Jesusito Nimo requested a medical check-up today.
In the case of the above activity, several layers of protection were in place to protect and/or mitigate any unforeseen event that could harm the workers. These are:
- Limit the number of workers in the area
- Install gas sensor at the well head and carry gas individual detector
- Install windsock to guide the worker of the prevailing wind direction
- Place the ambulance (with first aider/medical rescuer) at an eye distance equipment with necessary rescue gears
- Presence of the kill pump with crew.
- All of the above precautions were successful as evidence by the few number of victims, i.e., 8 out of 20 who were present in the work site.
Truly yours,
NILO A. APUADA
How come such gaz exposure if the workers had left for safer grounds? What is the size of the gaz leak? What gaz are emanating from the well. What quantity of gases have leaked from the well. What are the corrective measures put in place to secure the gaz leak. What are the condition of other wells? Do the gaz leaks monitored or verified by independent specialists or only by the company? What are protocols/standards applied in other countries in such cases (example Iceland, New-Zealand). Has these protocols been followed in Biliran?
What is the composition of the leaked gaz?
First, the “safer ground” mentioned in the statement was not as safe as it should be. Good thing was wind socks are installed, but as I can see in this statement rules on wind sock was not followed. When gas releases, best way to escape is crosswind and upwind away from the leak area and there you should find your upwind Muster point or assembly point, clear from gas release..Second, portable/personal gas detectors sounded, for what type of gas these detectors are for? if it is for h2s (hydrogen sulphide) they should be calibrated to give off low alarm at permissible exposure limit & high alarm for short term exposure limit, 10ppm & 15ppm h2s concentrations, respectively. Also mentioned that fixed gas sensors are installed nearby the wellhead, does this system combined with alarm system to warn the workers ahead, before the gas concentrations exceeds the acceptable values as mentioned? Third, looks like SCBA’s are not available, not even for the rescuers because they themselves was exposed to gas longer. Saving lives is heroic, but putting your own life at risk is another thing. Lastly, “above precautions were successful as evidence by the few number of victims, 8 out of 20”???? Come on! Putting 8 peoples lives close to death, a success in your safety system…that’s totally unacceptable. Pls. improve your safety system..to avoid such incident.
Why was wind direction not check before evacuating to higher ground?
Why is it that those precautionary measures mentioned i.e. Install Gas sensor @ wellhead, individual gas detector, windsock installation not implemented right away when drilling operation started and has to wait until such accident happened….those are basic SOP in Oil & Gas drilling operations specifically onshore drilling….was there HSE Risk Assessment conducted to determine potential risk as these operational gaps should have been identifed?……just asking…..btw i also also work in oil & gas drilling here in middle east currently employed by one of the major service contractor….
you can hide everything to the people because you have the full control of what had happened in your site. However, nature has its way of unveiling the truth and BGI has no control over it. The BGI will be held responsible before God and people for whatever happens to the people of Biliran as well as to their environment. how come that these three personnel of yours who have asthmatic history are actively working as rescue team at your site?