Noise generated by Oil and Gas/Petrochemical installations is generally an issue for two reasons:
- Noise within the plant/installation itself, which can effect the efficacy of communications, interfere with Public Address and Alarm systems or, at high levels, cause damage to employees’ hearing
- Noise at community locations within the surrounding environment
Addiscombe Environmental Consultants Limited has been responsible for the noise control design of numerous installations through Pre-FEED, FEED and EPC, ranging from small expansions of existing facilities to world-scale grass-roots projects.
Our design capabilities include the production of noise models in order to calculate the impact of developments and to identify where noise control is required. Noise control options can be modelled and different scenarios tested to ensure the most cost-effective design. We are used to working closely with the other engineering disciplines to ensure that the noise control design is successfully implemented.
It is common to specify equipment noise limits for individual equipment items and piping. We have experience of negotiating noise limits with Vendors and specifying and witnessing factory acceptance tests.
Noise levels generated by piping can be very significant on oil and gas/petrochemical installations and careful consideration must be paid to these sources during design. Our design capabilities include the assessment of pipe and valve noise and identifying where acoustic pipe insulation should be installed and the appropriate type of insulation.
Noise measurements of installations are often required for a number of reasons, including determining compliance with noise limits. Our measurement capabilities include monitoring both environmental noise levels, in-plant levels and determining equipment noise levels for individual equipment items. We utilise a broad range of measurement equipment, which allows us undertake survey work in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Employee noise exposure can be assessed for the entire workforce by combining noise levels within areas or modules (either predicted or measured) with typical employee working patterns. This methodology ensures that noise control can be targeted at the areas that will provide the greatest reduction in exposure to the workforce as a whole. For more information about noise at work, click here. The link will open in a new window.
For existing installations, we can recommend various noise control techniques and undertake a cost-benefit analysis of potential solutions. Where noise control is not practicable, we can determine the extent of restricted areas and assess the efficacy of Personal Hearing Protection.
Our recent Oil and Gas/Petrochemical Projects include:
- Ivar Aasen Platform (FEED and Detailed Design) – See Case Study here
- Good Practice Guide for Offshore Noise – Energy Institute
- Johan Sverdrup (FEED)
- Jazan ASU
- Zirku Capacity Enhancement
- Forward mounted base – Qatar
- Noise exposure assessments and training – Sonangol, Angola
- Pre- and Post- Startup noise surveys, Bonny LNG Terminal, Nigeria
- Egypt LNG noise surveys
- Gas Processing Facilities (GPF) Project, Abu Dhabi
- ADGAS Offshore Associated Gases, Abu Dhabi
- Beynouna Drilling Rig, Abu Dhabi
- Noise survey of Ruwais Sulphur Recovery Unit, Abu Dhabi
- ECP Noise control design for Inter-refineries pipeline project, Abu Dhabi
- EPC Noise control design for Atlantic & Cromarty Extension, Scotland
- FEED and EPC noise control designs of a number of LNG plants
