Technical

Note_002 Lightning & Static Protection for Oilfield Assets

015-0108 Rev 1
Jan 2015

BEST PRACTICES FOR STATIC PROTECTION ON TANK BATTERY

INTRODUCTION

At oil & gas production and SWD sites, fire incidents due to ignition that may have the result of electrostatic discharge are often
reported. This document provides a set of recommendations to control possible static electricity accumulation for purposes of
preventing fires and explosions. The purpose of this document is to assist the user in identifying the key areas at risk of static
generation, accumulation, and discharge in applying suitable products and practices. As per NFPA 77 7.1.2 Ignition hazards
from static electricity can be controlled by neutralizing the charges, the primary methods of which are grounding isolated
conductors and air ionization. This technical note outlines best practices that can be used as a guideline during tank battery
installation and operation start-up.

KEY AREAS OF STATIC ACCUMULATION

1. Fiberglass & Lined Steel Tanks

2. Thief Hatch
3. Truck Load Out


SCOPE

This technical note outlines considerations for installation of grounding and bonding systems for the purposes of:
1. Controlling static electricity on production equipment or structures where a spark could cause an ignition and result
in a fire.
2. Preventing damage to sensitive electronic components.


CONTROLLING STATIC ELECTRICITY

Grounding: Static protection systems require an earth electrode (ground) system to dissipate the electro-static energy into the
earth. The earth electrode systems must consist of appropriately sized ground electrodes. A low resistance earth ground is most
effective to dissipate energy. For moderately conductive soil, a low resistance earth ground can be established by installing a
10Ft vertical ground rod, 20Ft horizontal UL96 rated Class 1 Lightning Conductor or 18x18 ground plate. For areas, with high
corrosiveness or high resistivity, any one of the above grounding electrodes can be installed. They shall be encapsulated within
a conductive cement type soil enhancement material. The resistivity of the soil enhancement material should be such that the
ground electrode installed shall have a stable resistance of 25 Ohms or less in all seasons and the components shall be such that
corrosion of ground electrode is minimized. For the purpose of safety and identification, all connections to ground must be
secured with a Poly-plastic Inspection Well. The well lid must be lockable and the body material should be able to withstand
3000Lbs of weight. The test wells shall be min. 10 in diameter and marked for identification of grounding points. In no case
shall a ground rod protrude above ground and create a tripping hazard.

Fiberglass Tanks and lined steel tanks: The movement of volatile fluids in and out of an insulated tank generates static charge
that accumulates on the fluid surface and on the walls of the insulated tank. Inductive neutralizers (per IEEE std. 142 3.2.6.4)
can be effective to increase the rate of charge relaxation when installed within the tank.
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The fluids within the tanks can be highly corrosive. It is recommended that inductive neutralizers selected be made of non-
corrosive materials. They need to be in contact with the fluid along the full length of the storage tank. The neutralizers should
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be conductive but not be a traditional metal conductor so they have zero capacity (no capacitance) to storage static charge.
Accumulated charges are always at risk to discharge instantly creating a source of ignition. The Inductive Neutralizer shall be

www.petroguardian.com
Disclaimer: This engineering recommendation are based on industry standards and practices. This guideline, when applied, does not guarantee a production location
will not be susceptible to lightning strikes or static discharge events. By using these guidelines and industry practices, the likelihood of lightning or static related
damage will be decreased but not eliminated.
Technical Editors:
Chief Technical Officer: Terry Charrier Jr
Director of Engineering Services: Harshul Gupta
2015 Petro Guardian LLC
Technical Note_002 Lightning & Static Protection for Oilfield Assets
015-0108 Rev 1
Jan 2015
attached to the tank through a bolt on the Thief hatch. A bonding Lug shall be installed above the flange of thief hatch to bond
the thief hatch and static inductive neutralizer to the facility lightning protection grounding system.

Thief Hatch: The Thief hatch lid and flange are connected through a pin that allows the lid to rise and fall back into the seal after
it releases the pressure in the tank. When the pressure is released volatile gases escape. The sudden separation of two
conductive surfaces (lid and the flange) generates a risk of static discharge. With an adequate oxygen to escaping volatile gases
ratio, the static discharge can ignite the gas. Similar risk exists when an operator may open the thief hatch without ensuring
that the tank is not under pressure and the operator and thief hatch assembly are at ground potential.
A stainless steel flexible bonding strap is recommended to be installed between the thief hatch lid and flange. The bond keeps
the lid and flange at the same potential even when the two are physically separated. The bonding strap needs to be of
adequate width (around 1) and of a braided construction. The braided construction provides flexibility and larger surface area.
The bonding strap is attached to a bonding lug on the thief hatch flange. The lug is bonded to the facility lightning protection
grounding system.

Truck Load-out: Each Truck Load out should have a dedicated ground electrode installed. Bond the ground electrode to Fill Pipe
using #6 Green Insulated multi-strand grounding cable. Attach the Truck Load Out grounding cable assembly to the Fill Pipe
Clamp. The Truck Load Out Ground electrode shall be bonded to the C-veil grounding terminals using #6 Green Insulated multi-
strand grounding cable and further to one of the lightning protection ground electrodes using #6 Green Insulated multi-strand
grounding cable routed along the fill pipe using the shortest route. The Truck Load out cable shall be attached on the trucks at
the designated grounding lug provided.


ABOUT PETROGUARDIAN

Petro Guardian engineers systems to protect your oil and gas field assets from damage caused by lightning strikes and static
discharge. Petro Guardians experienced engineering team works alongside your operations and engineering team to develop a
standardized plan that prevents ignition from lightning strikes and static discharge. Contact team@petroguardian.com to
schedule an appointment.


REFERENCE SANDARDS

API RP 2003: Protection against ignition arising out of lightning, static and stray current
NFPA 780: Standard for the protection of Lightning Protection Systems
NFPA 77: Recommended practices for static electricity
IEEE std.142: Powering and grounding of commercial and industrial equipment
IEEE std. 1100: Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding Sensitive Electronic Equipment,
IEC 61643: Surge protective devices connected to low voltage power
IEC 62305 Protection against lightning

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www.petroguardian.com
Disclaimer: This engineering recommendation are based on industry standards and practices. This guideline, when applied, does not guarantee a production location
will not be susceptible to lightning strikes or static discharge events. By using these guidelines and industry practices, the likelihood of lightning or static related
damage will be decreased but not eliminated.
Technical Editors:
Chief Technical Officer: Terry Charrier Jr
Director of Engineering Services: Harshul Gupta
2015 Petro Guardian LLC