Mercury management during decommissioning: predicting accumulation and mitigating risk of release
Luke Ellery A , Peter Crafts B , Andrew Sturgeon C and Amit Rajani A *A Genesis, Perth, WA, Australia.
B Genesis, Westhill, Aberdeen, UK.
C Genesis, St Pauls, London, UK.
The APPEA Journal 63 273-284 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22136
Submitted: 8 December 2022 Accepted: 9 January 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
In 2021, Australia ratified the Minamata Convention on mercury, an international treaty that seeks to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. Mercury is a highly toxic metal with damaging effects even at extremely low concentrations. Decommissioning of pipelines and topside equipment that have processed fluids containing even trace quantities of mercury may create significant hazards to personnel and the environment. This paper considers the various mechanisms by which mercury accumulates in process systems and addresses important considerations, to mitigate the risks of mercury release during decommissioning. Where production fluids contain trace quantities of hydrogen sulfide, in addition to mercury, then mercury can react with compounds in scale layers to form mercury sulfide deposits, incorporated within the scale. In addition, mercury may also physically adsorb onto steel surfaces and within porous scale layers, and if mercury condensation occurs then amalgams may form with susceptible metals. Where pipelines are coated or clad, mercury can still be physically or chemically adsorbed onto the pipeline at weld joints. Production fluids containing mercury may also permeate through spiral-wound metal carcass layers of flexible flowlines. Mercury trapped in the carcass voids may be retained after flushing, to be released later during recovery operations, presenting a risk to personnel and the environment. Estimating the quantity, forms and areas contaminated with mercury compounds supports future decommissioning strategy development and select mitigation measures that reduce risks to personnel and the environment to as low as reasonably practicable.
Keywords: accumulation, ALARP, corrosion, coupon, decommissioning, embrittlement, environment, hazardous, measurement, mercury, mitigation, offshore, onshore, pigging, pipeline, quantification, risk, species.
Luke Ellery graduated with honours, a Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering and a Bachelor of Commerce, from the University of Western Australia, in 2016. Luke has over 6 years of technical experience as an engineer in the energy and resources industry. Luke is an engineer for Genesis in Perth with experience including lead roles in mercury simulation and decommissioning studies, development planning and brownfield opportunity management for traditional and renewable energy projects. Luke has held various positions in committees such as Engineers Australia and the UWA Engineering Faculty. |
Peter Crafts graduated with 1st class honours, Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, from the University of Teesside UK, in 1992. Peter has over 30 years of experience as a Chemical Engineer and Technical Safety Engineer, with experience gained in the oil and gas, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals industries, and an established track record of delivering lead roles in concept selection, process development, FEED, detailed design, commissioning and R&D for onshore and offshore projects. Peter is the Advanced Simulations Team Manager for Genesis in Aberdeen and is responsible for Genesis Global Mercury Consultancy Services and Mercury R&D Programmes. |
Andrew Sturgeon completed his PhD in Materials Engineering at Warwick University, UK in 1986. Andrew has over 32 years’ experience covering both technical and management roles in materials and corrosion technologies, component manufacture and qualification, welding and fabrication processes and their application within several industry sectors including oil, gas and chemicals, and power generation. Andrew is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) and a member of NACE and various Energy Institute committees. |
Amit Rajani graduated with a 1st class Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Pune, India in 2000. Amit has over 22 years’ experience within the engineering, automation and consulting industry servicing oil and gas facilities, refineries and petrochemicals worldwide. Amit is a Study Manager with Genesis in Perth and has a proven track record in the delivery of concept selection/feasibility/pre FEED studies, brownfield engineering studies, FEED, detailed design and advanced simulations studies including mercury. He is a results driven professional with strong client-centric skills and an agile approach to project management. |
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