1. VAPOUR CLOUD EXPLOSION
Case Study:
VAPOUR CLOUD EXPLOSION AT
SKIKDA LNG PLANT
19th January 2004

2. The Incident: A high pressure, steam boiler ruptured. Possible causes;
(a) poor purging before ignition
(b) Two phase slug flow (high vibrations were heard just before the explosion
The resultant explosion damaged nearby vessels containing flammable materials.
The “Loss Of Containment” of these resulted in further fires and explosions.

3. Results: 23 workers were killed. Nine are still missing.
74 were injured.
Estimated property damage:
US$ 800,000,000
Massive Business Interruption loss.

4. Possible Cause:
A foreman in a storage depot at the complex said he heard “strange noises and abnormal vibrations coming from a boiler and valves before the main explosion.”
This is often symptomatic of two phase flow in the tubes to the steam drum.
Two phase flow in the “Slug Flow” regime will produce high vibrations and possible tube rupture.

5. Sonatrach GL-1 K Complex

22. The End