BPP No.

Business Process Procedures

Functional Area: Process Title: Revision No.
Company Wide GAS FREEING
Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by: Effectivity Date:
Deputy Manager – Technical & Technical Manager AVP for Operations
safety

I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to give safety guidelines to all of contractors and
Liquigaz personnel on the proper procedure of gas freeing before doing hot works on a
“live” LPG pipeline and facility.

II. SCOPE

This document covers all personnel that conduct hot works on “live” LPG facility. This
includes all accredited contractor of Liquigaz Philippines Corporation.

III. DEFINITION

Gas Freeing – is the procedure of removing dangerous and explosive gases from the
interior of vessel or pipelines. It consists of a series of operations in which cargo vapour
is replaced with inert gas which, in turn is purged with air to prevent explosion hazard.

Live – pertains to the facility that has LPG.

Positive isolation - is a method to totally isolate equipment or a section of the plant

from a live process where in no leakage is tolerated due to the risks involved.

IV. METHODOLOGY

1. Eliminate all sources of ignition on the working area. Ensure that there is no operation
on site.

2. Prepare fire extinguishers. Lay down fire hoses. Assign someone to operate the fire
pump for emergency. (Contractors and Liquigaz Operations)
 BPP No.
Business Process Procedures
Functional Area: Process Title: Revision No.
Company Wide GAS FREEING
Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by: Effectivity Date:
Deputy Manager – Technical & Technical Manager AVP for Operations
safety

3. Empty out the liquid LPG inside pipelines by pushing the remaining liquid back to the
tank. Proceed with the depressurization of the LPG line using a compressor down or
near to 0 psi. (Liquigaz Operations to conduct pipeline depressurization)

4. Isolate/ close necessary valves of the tank after depressurization.

5. Prepare for the burner that will be used for flaring. Ensure that the distance of the
burner is at least fifteen (15) meters away from a LPG source or outside the site.
Connect the LPG hose of the burner to the desired point where the LPG vapour can be
drawn.

6. Proceed with the flaring of remaining LPG vapour until the pipeline will become empty.

7. Disconnect all valves and pipelines connected to the tank. Employ positive isolation and
drop the valve. This is to ensure the total isolation of the pipes to the tank side.

Note: BE SURE THAT THE TANK IS TOTALLY ISOLATED BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT
STEP.

8. Inject nitrogen to the highest possible point (near the LPG pump) in the pipeline. Use a
regulator to regulate the dispersing of the nitrogen inside the pipes. While injecting,
vent the LPG that is being pushed by the nitrogen to the lowest possible point (Gantry
area). Continue doing the injection until two (2) cylinders of nitrogen is consumed.
Check gas readings using gas detector/surveyor from time to time.

9. If the reading of the gas surveyor shows that there is no LPG left, proceed with the hot
works.