Lightning Protection EPC (LPEPC) Lightning Protection Services and Equipment for the Offshore Sector

Lightning Protection EPC (LPEPC) provides lightning protection solutions and services for offshore operations in South East Asia, Oceania, Australia and New Zealand.

LPEPC products are industry-leading in the prevention of potentially dangerous levels of lightning in the offshore sector, an industry that heavily relies on the handling of hazardous and combustible materials.

Lightning protection solutions for oil and gas

The use of lightning protection equipment is the most effective method of reducing the risk of fire, explosions and damage to infrastructure due to lightning.

LPEPC provides:

• Lightning surveys and audits on-site
• Turnkey lightning protection solutions
• Procurement, management and installation of lightning protection equipment

LPEPC has more than 25 years of experience in the hazardous area industry. This includes assistance to industry group, government and codes of practice committees.

On-site surveys and audits for lightning protection solutions on offshore platforms

LPEPC conducts on-site surveys and audits for offshore clients to better understand the risks of lightning to operations and how to apply solutions and controls.

Assessing the risk of lightning creates a baseline for establishing an accurate quotation (RfQs), as well as gathering important data that will become the foundation for design and engineering solutions.

Oil and gas sites that store highly combustible products must comply with codes of practice and local standards specific to earthing/grounding and bonding.

Lightning protection testing and simulation services

During surveys or audits, it is sometimes necessary to test existing lightning protection systems or ways that lightning could potentially impact processes.

Tests that can be carried out on-site or at our facility include soil resistance, soil sampling and geology, electrode and earth network. We supply our clients with lightning strike data specific to GPS coordinates, which best assists our clients in understanding risk.

A fundamental rule for lightning is ensuring that it has a path to earth so that any control measure is able to dissipate directly by earthing or bonding. Tests on functional earths and earth networks on an offshore site specific to lightning are essential in the ongoing maintenance of effective control measures.

Although it is difficult to measure lightning in the field, it is accepted that a direct lightning strike of three million volts can produce a current of more than 10,000 amps, which results in enough energy to melt steel. Lightning presents a significant risk to the offshore sector.

Customised design and engineering services

LPEPC’s in-house team designs and customises lightning protection systems.

We also supply customised parts so that equipment is installed correctly, compliant with regulations and meets manufacturer requirements.

Some applications or processes in the offshore sector occur in remote parts of the globe. In parts of Australia, temperatures on oil and gas sites can reach 80⁰C, making customised parts essential so that installed systems can withstand adverse conditions.

Our fit-for-purpose, fully turnkey services also include

• Feasibility and conceptual studies
• Front-end engineering design (FEED)
• Hazardous area assessment
• Basis of design and technical definition outlining functional performance requirements, design criteria against codes, standards and specifications
• Multi-discipline process, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control systems
• Drafting
• Project risk analysis
• Detailed design (2D or 3D modelling)

Procurement/management and installation capabilities

LPEPC can procure lightning protection equipment for the client to install and commission. Alternatively, we can design, procure and install equipment to offer a full turnkey solution.

In situations where it is only possible to use local contractors to install equipment, we can provide embedded management to oversee the workforce to ensure compliance and design requirements are met.

Construction documentation and records can also be provided. These include material certificates and traceability, weld maps, fabrication records, qualification documents, inspection and test paperwork.

Our additional capabilities include:

• Sub-contract preparation and market pricing analysis
• Technical and commercial tender review and selection
• Organisation of vendor and material procurement
• Contract management, cost tracking and forecasting
• Project and site management
• Multi-discipline construction management and delivery: civil; structural, mechanical; electrical and instrumentation and controls
• Plans, procedures, work packs, JSAs / safe work method statements
• Spare part and inventory mapping
• Final commissioning records and commissioning dossier
• Documentation and maintenance mapping