Abstract: In the production and transportation of crude oil and natural gas in dry, cold areas, such as for example, the North Slope of Alaska, static electricity inside equipment like tanks and flowlines is a special problem when it is necessary to gain access to the inside of such equipment. Safer and faster access to the inside of such equipment is facilitated by removing petroleum fluids from the equipment and wetting the appropriate inside area of access of the equipment with a nonflammable liquid that facilitates discharge of the electrostatic potential. For example, the liquid may be a salt solution, an antistatic chemical solution, a solution of conductivity improvers, or a combination thereof. The nonflammable liquid must be flowed (preferably upwardly) into the area of access as a continuous stream of liquid. In other words, the nonflammable liquid is not atomized or turned into a spray. Sprays create electrostatic charges.

Abstract: When liquid petroleum samples are taken from petroleum producing and transporting equipment in cold, dry areas, for example, northern Alaska, there is a danger of electrostatic sparking and explosion of the flammable liquids being sampled. This hazard is reduced by gentle sampling techniques and cooling the sample. The liquid sample line is cooled and the flow rate of the petroleum liquid is prevented from exceeding 1 meter per second. In addition, the liquid is flowed upward in the sample container thereby preventing flashing, agitation, and higher flow rates. For added safety, the sample container or the container and sample line may be prefilled with a noncombustible fluid. The container may also be made of metal and connected by an electrical conductor directly or indirectly to the equipment being sampled.