At GDC, our stringent efforts to ensure the safety and security of all employees, contractors, customers and communities are fundamental to our success.
As such, GDC’s motto continues to be “No Defect, No Injury, No Accident.” Our dedication to safety can be seen in our operations, in our processes and procedures, and in how our employees and contractors perform their duties.
The following safety standards and procedures are applied at each step of GDC’s gas processes, from extraction to customer connection:
Wells
For GDC, safety is an around-the-clock commitment. Our control rooms are operated 24/7 and their primary function is to ensure well safety. We employ certified facility supervisors in these control rooms, to carefully monitor pressure in the wells. Automatic shutdown valves are placed in the wells and pressure relieve valves (PRVs) are also used to control or limit the effect of excess pressure outside the wells. As an extra safety measure, our PRVs are regularly checked and maintained by approved and registered consultants.
In the event of an emergency, an automatic shut-down process is activated to prevent gas from escaping from the well. All GDC wells respect the regulations set by Cameroon’s Ministry of Mines and Technological Development (MINMIDT).
Plant
Gas plants face potential risks of accidents if leaks occur. As a result, GDC implements strict procedures to reduce the chances of accidents and to ensure safety at the plant. In case of an incident, there are three muster points at the process plant to keep employees safe from harm. GDC also employs an emergency shut-down button triggered by thermal sensors.
Condensate is stored in special tanks which are routinely tested for integrity. In the unlikely event that a spill does occur, the condensate loading area is bonded to prevent spills from flowing into the community. Furthermore, all spills-overs or storm waters are collected in a sump and carefully analyzed. Based on the results of the analysis, the contaminated water is either disposed or sent to an industrial recycling company, for further treatment.
All our trucks are checked by certified companies to ensure that they have the integrity required for transporting flammable products. GDC’s plants are managed by an internationally reputable oil & gas service company, specialized in well flow management.
Main Pipeline
GDC utilizes high density polyethylene pipes (HDPE), horizontal drilling and open cut trenching methods to ensure that all gas pipes are safely buried below the ground. Critical pipeline sections are sleeved (pipe-in-a-pipe), while other sections have an additional protective concrete cover to prevent physical damage and obstruction.
The pipeline is patrolled 4 times a day by GDC’s well-trained safety patrol team. Marker posts and plates are placed along the gas pipeline route, to indicate pipeline in proximity. We also implement a leak detection system along the entire pipeline. In the event of an incident, the patrol team reports to our Emergency Control Center (ECC), which is operated 24/7 by an emergency response team.
Customer Connection /PRMS
GDC offers a free independent audit to all customers before gas installations. The audit is conducted independently by Bureau Veritas (an internationally recognized testing, inspection and certification firm). As part of our commitment to safety, GDC also provides a free gas awareness and familiarization training, to help customers understand what to do in case of an emergency.
The pressure reduction metering station has a sensor to detect pressure fluctuations. In the event of an unusual gas flow, the PRMS can shut down gas supply and alerts ECC of abnormal rises in gas pressure.
PRMS to usage (downstream)
GDC uses steel pipes which conform to Essential Safety Requirements. We also make sure the pipes conform to the appropriate schedule for transporting natural gas. All joints are subject to non-destructive testing (NDT) to ensure integrity of joints. As a final safety measure, we odourize our gas with mercaptan, to give it a distinctive smell of rotten eggs. The strong smell alerts customers of any potential gas leaks.
