Accidental leaks in the oil and gas industry can cause untold damage to wildlife, local communities, and the environment. In 2005, for example, 15 Texas refinery workers were killed – and many more injured – when a vapor cloud of natural gas and petroleum violently exploded during the restarting of a hydrocarbon isomerization unit. Although this event gained significant media attention, leaks don’t need to be of a news-worthy scale to pose a risk to staff, the public or the environment. A large number of small, seemingly benign, leaks can very quickly add up to a sizable volume of hazardous emissions.
Unintended leaks of gases and vapors from pressurized industrial equipment are known as “fugitive emissions,” and can be caused by wide range of factors, from simple gasket failures to expansion and contraction of components to improper maintenance practices. In the oil and gas sector, methane emissions from refineries are a particular concern, as they can not only damage the environment, but also threaten the safety of workers and the local community.