High Value Learning - Lube oil tank damage due to overpressure

During start-up of the ancillary lube oil system, an overpressure event occurred, causing lube oil tank deformation and a minor loss of lube oil to the deck. There was no activation of the fixed fire & gas systems and no further escalation potential. Following a detailed investigation, it was determined that the most likely cause of the overpressure was a combustion event in the lube oil tank.

The compression train has wet seals with ancillary seal and lube oil systems. Lube oil is circulated throughout the compression train and stored in an atmospheric lube oil reservoir tank. The storage tank is located on the deck below the compressors, with a pressure rating of 0.04 bar. The seal and lube oil systems are connected via a common atmospheric vent line. At the time of the incident, the seal oil system was not running.

Air was present in the lube oil tank as it would have been drawn in through the atmospheric vent when the lube oil pumps were started. A flammable atmosphere was created through low levels of hydrocarbon gas migrating into the lube oil tank and/or the formation of flammable mist of lube oil. The most likely ignition source was found to be static discharge from the lube oil.

There have been other static related incidents in industry, most commonly in the marine sector. Static charges can build up in some mineral oils due to turbulent fluid flow. Various studies have shown that, even with earthing / bonding of equipment, static discharge can still occur.