Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
(OP)
I need to assess the ignition risk from MV, HV, and EHV lines and transformers in the vicinity of wells producing hot oil and gas. Can you all comment on whether you think bare overhead lines, sub-stations, and transformers are a potential source of ignition and, if so, then direct me to any research carried out to determine safe separation distances.
I would also be interested in statistics for fires and explosions resulting from power lines and transformers.
Thanks
I would also be interested in statistics for fires and explosions resulting from power lines and transformers.
Thanks






RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
1. a well blowout
2. migration of a large, hot and flammable vapor cloud near the electrical equipment
3. potential liquid rainout
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
Is the vapor conductive? If so it could reduce the insulation value between wires and result in a flashover.
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
I am not an electrical engineer but do understand flammability relatively well. The fluids are highly variable and start as bitumen and water with some CO2 and then end up as a variable mix of water, CO2, H2S, methane, ethane, propane, and right through to light oil. The compositions vary throughout the well production life-cycle and the temperatures generally increase up to around 700F.
The essence of my question is whether EHV, and MV power systems (lines, transformers, switchgear etc) pose a significant ignition risk and if so whether the safe distances specified in Code like IEC, ANSI or whatever are suitable for our particular application.
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
The other risk would be from an arc being initiated by something else and igniting the gas.
At distribution and transmission voltages, an arc to ground or between phases will be hot enough to ignite anything that will burn in air, including the shirt on your back.
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
Flashovers often occur during brush fires that pass under power lines. (Just before the poles burn down!).
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
Regards
Marmite
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
Also smoke from a fire can cause ash to collect on the electrical insolators which at some point can cause a flashover.
Normally, oil field equipment should not be in the right of way of the high voltage lines. Distribution lines have a smaller right of way, and maybe closer. But still if you are releasing that much gas into the air, you also have a breathing problem.
Any time there is a electrical equipment there is a potential of an ingition source (motors, lights, radios, etc). And there is special equipment made for explosive hazzard locations.
RE: Ignition risk from MV, HV and EHV lines
You mention right of way - the question is whether the right of way width is suitable for our case. Do you know the basis on which the ROW was calculated and would it be appropriate to have a producing gas or oil well at 1000psi at the boundary of the ROW?