Gas Test
Oil and Gas Industry
GAS TEST
Gas Test on a Jack-Up Oil Rig is a critical safety procedure performed to detect the presence of
hazardous gases in the work environment especially before and during high-risk activities like
hot work, confined space entry, or maintenance in potentially explosive atmospheres.
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PURPOSE OF GAS TESTING
To prevent fire, explosion, asphyxiation, or poisoning by detecting:
▪ Flammable gases (e.g., methane, hydrogen)
▪ Toxic gases (e.g., H₂S - hydrogen sulfide, CO - carbon monoxide)
▪ Oxygen levels (too low = asphyxiation risk, too high = fire risk)
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COMMON GASES MONITORED
Gas Safe Limit Hazard
▪ O₂ (Oxygen) 20.8–21% Below 19.5% is low; above 23.5% is too high
▪ LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) < 1% Explosion risk if above 10% LEL
▪ H₂S (Hydrogen Sulfide) < 10 ppm (varies by company) Toxic, deadly
▪ CO (Carbon Monoxide) < 30–50 ppm Poisonous
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WHEN IS GAS TESTING REQUIRED?
▪ 1. Before Hot Work (welding, grinding, etc.)
▪ 2. Confined Space Entry
▪ 3. After chemical leaks or spills
▪ 4. During or after ventilation of a space
▪ 5. When opening process equipment or tanks
▪ 6. Daily monitoring in certain hazardous zones
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GAS TESTING EQUIPMENT
▪ Multi-gas detectors (portable or fixed)
▪ Calibration bump test required before use
▪ Must be intrinsically safe (ATEX/IECEx certified)
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DOCUMENTATION
▪ Gas test must be recorded on the Permit to Work (PTW)
▪ Signed by Authorized Gas Tester (AGT)
▪ Retest intervals based on PTW conditions (e.g., every 2 hours)
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IMPORTANT CONTROLS
▪ Use explosion-proof tools if LEL is detected
▪ Ventilate area before entry or work
▪ Never enter a confined space without gas testing
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REGULATION
ISO & IEC Standards
▪ ISO 16924 – Gas detection in explosive environments
▪ IEC 60079-29 Series – Performance of gas detection equipment in explosive
atmospheres
▪ ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health & Safety Management (requires hazard control
including gas testing)
International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP)
▪ IOGP Report 578 – Life-Saving Rules
▪ Emphasizes "Gas testing must be conducted before and during work in confined spaces
or where gas may be present."
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REGULATION
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
▪ SOLAS Chapter II-2 (Fire Protection)
▪ Requires gas detection systems in hazardous areas (for mobile offshore units).
▪ MODU Code (Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units)
▪ Mandates gas detection in machinery spaces, drilling areas, and living quarters.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA - USA)
▪ 29 CFR 1910.146 – Confined Space Entry
▪ Requires atmospheric testing before entry (oxygen, flammable gases, toxic vapors).
▪ 29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication
▪ Requires employers to inform workers about chemical and gas hazards.
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REGULATION
API & NFPA Standards
▪ API RP 500/505 – Hazardous area classification (important for gas
detection zone planning)
▪ NFPA 306 – Requirements for gas freeing tanks and confined space entry
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IMPORTANT CONTROLS
Thank You!
“No Shortcut is Worth Your Life”
Prepared by: Merdanmyrat Nurjanov (Drilling HSE Officer)
Location: Caspian Driller Jack-Up
Date: 12.07.2025
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