Offshore alert: Inspect turbine engine exhaust components

Washington — Spurred by an incident in which a turbine generator exhaust silencer failed, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which oversees safety for the offshore energy industry, has issued a safety alert.

BSEE’s investigation into the recent incident determined that the “lack of proper maintenance and safety precautions could potentially have led to severe injuries or fatalities had personnel been present.”

As offshore energy production was underway, workers reported hearing an “unusual” sound and noticed a pulsing exhaust expansion joint on one generator. Operators opted against emergency stop procedures because of concerns that “rapid unloading could cause catastrophic turbine engine failure or a power blackout,” the alert states. The turbine generator was shut down.

However, investigators report that because steel had failed around the supporting struts, pieces of perforated steel were ejected from inside the turbine silencer and scattered onto the deck after shutdown. Some steel pieces weighed as much as 44 pounds.

BSEE recommendations to operators and contractors include:

• Define and implement comprehensive inspection and maintenance strategies for turbine engine exhaust components, including silencers, for new and existing equipment.
• Ensure regular inspections go beyond the exhaust plenum discharge flange to include the entire silencer assembly.
• Incorporate robust design specifications and quality assurance measures, including manufacturer documentation for new silencers.
• Establish and maintain strict dropped object prevention measures, especially in areas where workers, hazardous materials or equipment are at risk. These measures are critical to protect workers and prevent injuries or damage.