Oil & Gas Industry - Commercial Lightning Protection

Lightning Elimination Systems (LES) has a great deal of experience with commercial lightning protection for oil and gas companies. Unfortunately, petrochemical (saltwater separation/distillate/frac) storage tanks are particularly susceptible to lightning strikes, especially when made from fiberglass. The buildup of static electricity is also a common predicament. Given the often natural volatility of the contents in these tanks, a subsequent explosion and fire caused by lightning or static buildup can have absolutely catastrophic effects.

Workers on drilling rigs are also at risk because they are outdoors and touch metal surfaces. Roughnecks can themselves become a conductor for lightning in the event of a strike, even if the drilling rig itself is grounded.

Even indoors, pipeline and distribution monitoring and control stations at refineries are vulnerable to transient voltages caused by direct lightning strikes, flashovers or electromagnetic pulse distortions.

LES solutions for the oil and gas industry include:

Compliance with industry standards like those created by the American Petroleum Institute for aboveground hydrocarbon tanks (API 545).
The proper grounding of electrical systems (HVAC, telephone, data and coaxial cables) and computers or other electronic equipment so that any excessive electrical currents caused by lightning or power-switching transients travel through low-impedance routes.
Air terminals to attract and capture lightning. LES believes that streamer preventing terminals (SPTs) are the best choice for reducing static buildup through dissipation. SPTs can also diminish the chance of lightning strikes by affecting the natural formation of upward steamers that meet downward leaders from thunderclouds and form lightning.
Static bonding and ground monitoring systems between load outs and trucks, again focusing on the reduction of static electricity when hydrocarbon vapors are present.
Industrial surge protectors installed on either end of any conductor entering the facility, as well as a primary industrial surge protector installed on the main electrical distribution panel. Secondary surge protection devices (SPDs), terminal block, terminal strip and in-conduit surge suppression devices may also be necessary.