December 12, 2002 TB 152

3. NITROGEN PURGE:

The Nitrogen Purge Procedure has been developed for environmentally sensitive areas
where the discharge of fluids is not permitted and / or the treatment of fluids is very
costly. It has proven to be a highly effective means of purging the MGS and related
piping.

3.1 Make certain the MGS and related piping are rigged for purging with the correct
fittings, hoses and valve arrangements. This must be done prior to placing the
MGS into service. Refer to Diagram 1 and Table 1.

Calculate the volume of the MGS and related piping to be purged. A minimum of
two (2) purges will be required and twice this volume of nitrogen is necessary for
each purge. For example:

If the total volume of the MGS and related piping is approximately 900 cu. ft.
- The first purge will require 1800 cu. ft. of nitrogen.
- The second purge will also require 1800 cu. ft. of nitrogen.
- Total nitrogen required will be 3600 cu. ft.

Note: In North America, nitrogen bottles typically contain 304 cu. ft. of nitrogen
at 2,300 to 2,500 psi.

3.2 Prior to the purging operation, notify the drilling contractor’s rig manager
(Toolpusher), the operator’s representative (Company Man) and the site safety
supervisor of the intention to purge the MGS and related piping.

3.3 Perform a JSA (Job Safety Analysis) with all crewmembers to be involved with
the purging procedure, emphasizing the hazards of working with toxic and
explosive gases, and preparations required in the event of fires on the rig and
injury to personnel.

3.4 Make certain that all sources of possible ignition have been extinguished or
removed from near the MGS and related piping. This includes; open flames,
welding operations, cigarette smoking and any potential sources of static
electricity such as PVC piping and static charges that may occur on personnel.

3.5 With all hatches, inspection ports and valves closed on the MGS, open the MGS
drain valve and the valve to the choke manifold buffer chamber. This will allow
the liquid seal and as much of the fluids remaining in the MGS to be removed as
well as the MGS supply line from the choke manifold. When finished draining
the MGS, close the drain valve on the MGS and the valve at the buffer chamber.
Close the mud discharge valve(s) to the shakers and/or trip tank. Use the U-

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152
Tube drain valve to remove any remaining fluids in the U-Tube and close when
fully drained.

CAUTION: When Draining the MGS, methane or H2S gas may be released at
the point of discharge. For most offshore and land drilling rigs, this would be at
the shale shakers, reserve pit or holding tank. (Remember: H2S gas is
heavier than air and may be trapped in pockets at the bottom of the MGS
and methane is lighter than air and may be trapped in pockets at the top of
the MGS.)

3.6 Install the high-pressure hoses from the nitrogen bank to the nitrogen inlets on
the MGS drain and on the choke manifold buffer chamber. Secure breakaway
cables to the high-pressure hoses.

3.7 Clear all personnel from the shaker area of the mud tanks and burner area.

3.8 Clear all unnecessary personnel, not related to the purging operation, from the
MGS and choke manifold area.

3.9 If there is a burner, the igniter should be on, so the presence of gas inside of the
MGS can be detected and safely disposed.

3.10 Run the first purge in the following manner:

- Open the nitrogen bottles, allowing nitrogen to flow into the MGS and supply
piping. The gas will vent to the gas discharge or burner area.
- Observe if gas is coming from the gas discharge. If gas is present and a burner
is installed, flames will be seen at the burner area.
- When the nitrogen bottles have fully discharged, close the valves on the
nitrogen bottles, on the nitrogen supply line to the buffer chamber and on the
line to the MGS.

Typically, 6 bottles of nitrogen will take 15 minutes to fully discharge.

3.11 After the first purge is completed, flush the inside of the MGS, as follows:
- Hook up water supply to the MGS inlet.
- Fill the MGS approximately 3 ft. full of water.
- A 4 ft. dia. MGS, requires 300 gals.
- A 6 ft. dia. MGS, requires 600 gals.
- Suction from the MGS drain and circulate into the MGS inlet to flush the
inside of the vessel.

- This can be done with a diaphragm pump or other installed piping

arrangements.

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152
This flushing procedure should last about 15 minutes and would help to clean
the interior of the MGS.

Pump the flushed material to the shakers for treatment or the waste fluids
holding tank. If possible, suction the MGS supply line dry.

3.12 Rig down water circulation piping, as required, and prepare for the second
nitrogen purge.

3.13 Repeat Steps 3.6 to 3.11. Again, observe the presence of any gas at the gas
discharge. If gas is detected after second purge, repeat purge procedure.

3.14 When gas is no longer observed, turn off burner and fuel supply (if applicable).
Rig down all nitrogen bottles and hoses.

3.15 Open lower inspection port on MGS.

3.16 Use methane and H2S gas detection equipment to check for the presence of
hydrocarbon gases, inside of the MGS.
a. If gas is detected, repeat steps 3.6 to 3.12 with burner and its fuel supply
shut off.
b. If no gas is detected, open remaining inspection ports and continue with
cleaning and MGS inspection.
c. Clean all solids and fluids from inside of the MGS.

CAUTION: If oil based mud continues to lie inside of the MGS, hydrocarbon gases may
accumulate inside of the MGS creating an explosive hazard. This would require purging
the system again.

3.17 When cleaning and inspection of the MGS is completed:

a. If moving rig (land rig) disassemble MGS lines.
b. Close all inspection ports and tighten all stud nuts to the recommended
torque (refer to service manual).
c. Fully open the following valves:
- from the drilling choke to the MGS
- on the MGS mud discharge and to the shakers or trip tank.
d. Fully close the following valve (s):
- MGS drain
- U tube drain

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152

DIAGRAM 1

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152
TABLE 1

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152

4. WATER PURGE (An alternative purge procedure):

The Water Purge Procedure has been an effective means of clearing hydrocarbons from
MGS’s. This procedure has been modified to make the purge more thorough and
enhance the safety of this operation.

4.1 Do Steps 3.2 to 3.5. Refer to Diagram 2 and Table 2.

4.3 Run the first purge in the following manner:

- Pump water (preferably drillwater) into the MGS until the pump has reached
its head limitation or until water flows out of the top of the gas vent line.
- Open valves on the MGS allowing water to back flush to the Choke & Kill
Manifold, flush the Mud Return line and finally, flush the MGS drain line.
Discharge the water to the shakers for treatment or to the holding tank.
- When finished flushing all of the lines, close all valves on the MGS.

4.4 For the second purge, repeat Step 4.3.

4.5 With all of the valves closed, open the bottom inspection port.
- Using an air blower, certified for ‘Hazardous Areas’, blow air into the MGS,
forcing the exhausted air to be blown out of the gas vent line (at the top of the
derrick for an offshore rig or at the flare area for a land rig). Minimum blower
size would be 1000 scfm. Secure grounding lead from blower to MGS.
- The blowing of forced air through the MGS should continue for at least one
hour.
- This will insure that any trapped pockets of gas will be circulated out of the
MGS.

4.6 Use methane and H2S detection equipment to check for the presence of
hydrocarbon gases, inside of the MGS.
a. If gas is detected repeat steps 4.3 to 4.5.
b. If no gas is detected, open remaining inspection ports and continue with
cleaning and MGS inspection.
c. Clean all solids and fluids from inside of the MGS

4.7 Do step 3.17.

CAUTION: If oil based mud continues to lie inside of the MGS, hydrocarbon gases may
accumulate inside of the MGS creating an explosive hazard. This would require purging
the system again.

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152

DIAGRAM 2

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 December 12, 2002 TB 152
TABLE 2

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