Blown Control Valve Cover

The pressure control valve was opened by connecting Pidgy tubing straight to the valve actuator from the platform instrument air supply. This was an unregulated air supply from the instrument air manifold direct to the valve bonnet air inlet which meant that the inline controls were bypassed.

Once the pressure control valve was fully open the air supply was locked in and the personnel left the area.

Shortly later, upon their return to the area, a loud bang was heard and it was identified that a section of the pressure control valve actuator cover plate had blown off the valve bonnet creating a projectile.

The cover plate, weighing 300g, did not make contact with any personnel involved with the task. All work was stopped and the job made safe.