Page 6 - CCPS Golden Rules - Hydrogen Sulfide

Golden Rules for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Golden Rule #1: Always understand and respect the hazardous properties of H2S
(6) Inadequate signage/comprehension of the situation and potential harm in a pump house where
there was equipment that contained H 2S, see Figure 1 for appropriate signage.

Figure 1 Be aware of the toxic hazards of H 2S before you take action

Source: Shutterstock.com

On December 23, 2003, at 9:55 pm, a gas well blew out resulting in a natural gas and toxic H2S gas
cloud extending 30m high. This cloud covered 25 square kilometers (10 square miles) and resulted
in 234 fatalities, over 1000 injuries, and hundreds of livestock fatalities. There was a delay of around
1.5 hours before safety officials were informed. Mountainous topography led to the heavy H 2S
collecting in populated low-level locations. Figure 2 shows the area affected. Overall, 60,000 people
were evacuated. Specialist teams arrived in the affected areas on the fourth day. On the fifth day the
release was brought under control, and one day after that people started returning home [5].

The learning relevant to this Golden Rule is that there was no understanding nor respect for the
hazards of H2S. Each of the following shortcomings would not have existed if these hazards had been
understood:
(1) At the time, regulations did not consider the extent of the H 2S hazard and allowed houses to be
built within 30 m (98 feet) of the well.
(2) Operational procedures were not followed.
(3) The incident was reported too late for effective emergency response.
(4) Emergency response was initially carried out with little knowledge and a lack of equipment.

Updated January 2024 Page 3 of 28