Dispute Over a Flare Tip-What Constitutes Normal Wear and Tear?

Insurance Claim, North America

An insurance claim was filed for damages to a flare when a sour gas plant experienced an unplanned shutdown caused by an electrical power interruption. Baker & O'Brien was retained to assess whether damage to the flare tip was associated with the shutdown or was the result of wear and tear. Our expert report, which considered the flare age, wind, and flame patterns during normal operation, and wear patterns on the welds near the tip, was submitted as part of the mediation process.

Unexpected emergency shutdowns of process plant equipment have the potential to cause premature degradation and loss of operating life by subjecting the equipment to damaging operational conditions. Such unplanned shutdowns can also result in extensive costs to clear, repair and restart the equipment, as well as lost profits due to production outages. Of course, process equipment also becomes gradually "damaged" over its normal operating life, even if it is always operated within its original design parameters. The latter is typically referred to as normal "wear and tear."

A sour gas processing plant experienced an unplanned shutdown caused by an electrical power interruption. The plant owner filed an insurance claim for both direct costs to repair or replace damaged equipment, as well as lost profits. As part of its claim, the owner requested reimbursement for damages to the plant flare tip, steam nozzles, piping and welds near the tip of the flare, alleging they were caused by the shutdown. Baker & O'Brien was retained to assess whether such damages were actually associated with the shutdown or largely the result of normal wear and tear.

As part of their assignment, Baker & O'Brien consultants reviewed the damage in light of what would typically be expected for a flare with a similar operating history. This evaluation included examination of the old flare tip to determine whether erosion was typical for the flare's age, and historical wind and flame patterns during normal operations. We also examined the wear patterns on the stainless steel to carbon steel welds near the tip. Our opinions were presented in a report submitted during mediation proceedings. The owner and the insurance company eventually settled the claim.

Peter P. Bartlett

Senior Vice President

Industry
Natural Gas and NGLs
Service
Standard of Care / Accident / Incident Investigation / Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) / Insurance Claims / Operations and Maintenance
Region
North America