Design, Operation and Maintenance of Ground Flare Systems for Seismic Zones

PERU LNG has a 4.4 million metric tons per annum liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility, which is the largest natural gas liquefaction plant in South America, and has been in operation since 2010. The Shareholders of the facility are Hunt Oil, Shell, SK, and Marubeni. The plant is located in a seismic zone such that a conventional elevated flare stack would not easily withstand the loads in the event of an earthquake. Consequently, the plant is designed in accordance with API standard 537 with a staged ground flare system using actuated valves and buckling pin relief valves. This paper provides an insight into the basis of design and operational discipline with this type of flare, and the requirements necessary for maintaining the flare system without shutting down the plant or compromising the plant safety.