SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS

File: 970313_jun96_decls1_0017.txt
Page: 0017
Total Pages: 35

Subject: SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS                           

Unit: VII CORPS   

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box  ID: BX000249

Folder Title: ENGR PLAN INTEL                                                                                 

Document Number:          9

Folder Seq  #:         84



                                             UNCLASSIFIED



            AST-26602-148-90
            9 January 1991


            2. Light, Flammable Southern Kuwaiti Crude Oil te tlSt3

                a(U@%PMbi Of greatest concern is the fact that southern Kuwaiti crudes
            oils are the most volatile and contain hydrogen sulfide gas, aromatics, and light
            hydrocarbons, making oil released at the wellhead highly flammable.           It is
            estimated that the oll's flammability and burn rates would be somewhat similar
            to a fuel mix of 20%vol. gasoline, 20%vol. jet A-1/kerosene, 20%vol. diesel, and
            40%vol. heavy heating oil. This oil can be readily ignited by static electricity
            or incendiary devices.    The crude oil itself is a health hazard because it
            contains numerous carcenogenic compounds (benzene, toluene, hexane, methane,
            butane). If crude oil contacts exposed skin, it should be removed and the skin
            surface washed imediately'. If it is accidentally ingested or inhaled, immediate
            medical treatment is required.
              BSU)I-                                Kuwaiti crude oils have a low viscosity
            (API gravity of 40 to 42) and can be easily pumped.           Owing to their low
            viscosity, large-diameter pipes can have high volumetric crude-oil flow rates,
            which would enable the Iraqis to rapidly transport raw crude from the wellheads
            to gathering centers and fire trenches or to quickly release it to form oil
            swamps and bogs. It should be noted that because of the light ends, flammable
            volatiles will quickly dissipate if spilled over a hot surface or warm water,
            especially if the spilled crude oil spreads out over a large area. This implies
            that the crude is very easy to ignite immediately after the spill; however, if
l will be
            more difficult to ignite. The lack of light distillates will also reduce burn
            rates and fire intensity. (While less flammable, the heavy residuals, if not
            ignited, would still pose a trafficability problem.)

            3. Heavier, Less Flammable Northern Kuwaiti Crude Oil

         (U),.                               In northern Kuwait, between Kuwait City and the
            Iraqi border, crude oils recovered from the Raudhatain, Sabriyah, and Bahrah oil
            fields are somewhat heavier, more viscous, and less flammable, and contain less
            associated gas, light ends, and condensates than crudes recovered south of Kuwait
            City and west of Al Ahmadi.      This region of Kuwait represents a lower fire/
            firestorm, gas, and smoke hazard than the southern oil fields.            The con-
            centration of oil wells in northern Kuwait is less, reducing the threat of fire
            obstacles and toxic-gas clouds.

            4. Dangers from Flames, Fireballs, and Intense Heat (U)

                a. (lU) One great danger from oil-well fires is the intense heat generated





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                                             UNCLASSIFIED

Document 35 f:/Week-24/BX000249/ENGR PLAN INTEL/serious oilfire gas and smoke dangers:0128971851472
Control Fields 17
File Room = jun96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-24
Box ID = BX000249
Unit = VII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = ENGR PLAN INTEL
Folder Seq # = 84
Subject = SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS
Document Seq # = 9
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 13-FEB-1997