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The Two Common Hazards Associated with Flowback Operation

We know Andrew Carnegie has a great humanitarian. He is the man who built the first steel empire in America and became one of the wealthiest men in the world. He is also the man who gave away most of his fortune to philanthropic causes.


However, the Homestead Strike was one of the darkest episodes in Carnegie's life. The strike, which took place at the Carnegie Steel Company's Homestead Steel Mill in Pennsylvania in 1892, was a bitter and violent confrontation between the company and its workers. The workers, who demanded higher wages and better working conditions, were met with brutal force by the company, which hired private security guards to protect its property.


Thankfully, modern working conditions have significantly improved from what they were in the past. Various laws now protect employees, and employers are likelier to provide a safe and comfortable work environment.


Safety should be the top priority in oil and gas production. That is why it is critical to ensure you and your team are aware of the safety measures needed before hiring a flowback entity. Flowback companies are responsible for managing the flow of fluids during the drilling process, so they must have a good understanding of the potential risks involved.


Worker Fatalities


Since 2010, at least four workers have died from what appears to be acute chemical exposures during flowback operations at well sites. The fracking process entails drilling down into the earth and injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the rock, which fractures the rock and releases natural gas. The gas is then brought back to the surface.


The workers who died were all employed by oil and gas service companies. They were working near fracking chemicals and equipment and were likely exposed to high levels of chemicals.


While the exact circumstances of these deaths are still uncertain, it is clear that exposure to fracking chemicals can be dangerous. The long-term health effects of fracking are not yet known, but these incidents highlight the need for further research into the safety of this practice.


When it comes to oil and gas exploration, there is always a risk of a high mortality rate. You must be aware of this when searching for flowback companies. They are responsible for the safe and environmentally sound disposal of the water and chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."


While fracking has been used for decades, it has only recently come under scrutiny due to the potential for contamination and other environmental hazards. Flowback companies are often hired by oil and gas companies to dispose of the wastewater from fracking operations.


Potential Exposure


Hydrogen sulfide (sour gas) is produced when sulfur-containing materials are exposed to water or air. It is a colorless, flammable gas with a characteristic "rotten egg" smell. This gas is widely recognized as a toxic exposure hazard associated with oil and gas extraction and production. Inhaling hydrogen sulfide can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and unconsciousness and can be fatal.


Oil and gas workers risk exposure to hydrogen sulfide when working with or around sour gas. It is critical for your team to be aware of the risks and to take precautions to protect themselves.


Conclusion


There are several risks involved in flowback operations, the most serious of which is the potential to release hazardous chemicals and hydrocarbons into the environment. Other hazards include fires and explosions and the potential for workers' death. Despite the risks, flowback operations are essential for safe and efficient oil and gas extraction. With proper safety precautions in place, these risks can be minimized.


If you want to minimize the risk associated with flowback operations, you should only hire reputable flowback companies in Artesia. There is no better team than Royal Services, LLC. We have been trained to safely and efficiently do our job to prevent dangerous mistakes. So, contact us now for more information!

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