Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Natural Gas
Before you begin
Description
Natural gas samples shipped to laboratory for analysis.
Category
Not a waste
Analysis
Not required for shipment.
Accumulation
See shipping instructions.
Waste
Reduction
Not a waste
Disposal
Natural gas samples shipped to laboratory for analysis—not for disposal.
Recordkeeping
Version 2, October 2011

Complete entry in Hazardous Material Section [Section I] of the Apache
Shipping Manifest prior to transportation.
 Maintain a copy of manifest offshore and at shore base facilities while
shipping papers are active. Send original manifest with shipment.
Page 1 of 11
Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions: NATURAL GAS (Not containing H2S)
1.
a.
b.
2.
Package Natural gas as follows:
a.
Ship natural gas test cylinders in the transportation case to protect the valves. This
complies with method (2) below. DOT accepts four methods of cylinder valve
protection:
(1)
Securely attached metal caps
(2)
Boxing or crating to give proper protection to valves
(3)
Constructing container so that valve is recessed into the container
(4)
Securing cylinder compactly and in upright position [valve on top]
If multiple methods are used, such as metal caps and upright position, both are
subject to inspection.
b.
c.
Call or FAX Dock/Base to schedule shipment.
Contact owner/vendor to schedule pick up of material.
If cylinder has a retest date, the retest must not be overdue.
The following are approved cylinders. For cylinders not marked with a service
pressure, the service pressure is designated by DOT as follows:
Specification
3, 3E
4
25
33
38
3A, 3AA, 3B,3C, 3D
4, 4A, 4B, 4BA,4BW, 4C
26
All others
Service Pressure (psig) at 70°F.
1800
300
300
480
250
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
In addition specification 3T is not authorized for hydrogen.
d.
e.
f.
Secure cylinder valve cap when applicable.
Except for cylinders with a valve on the top and on the bottom, secure bottles in a
standing position only.
DO NOT STORE NEXT TO OXIDIZERS.
Continued on next page
Version 2, October 2011
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Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions: NATURAL GAS (Not containing H2S)
(continued)
3.
Mark Package:
a.
“Natural gas, compressed, 2.1, UN 1971”
b.
Stencil Container -“Apache” and the generator’s location (i.e. Eugene Island 158)
c.
If gas contains H2S at levels known or presumed to be toxic to humans, consult the
EH&S Department. Package must be marked with a different Name and UN number
and Inhalation Hazard Zone information that must be determined on a case by case
basis. (49 CFR 173.116)
4.
Label Package:
a.
"Flammable Gas" label near the marking in 3.a. (above).
b.
If contains H2S, “Poisonous Gas” label near the marking in 3.a. (above).
5.
Prepare shipping papers:
a.
Complete entry in Hazardous Materials Section [Section I] of the Apache Shipping
Manifest (See example).
b.
Sour gas shipments are not covered by this example.
6.
Placard Vehicle/Vessel:
a.
For cargoes of more than 1000 pounds: "Flammable Gas" Placard with UN number
1971 and the number "2" in the lower corner.
b.
For cargoes less than 1000 pounds: No Placard required on transport vehicle.
c.
This section does not cover sour gas shipments.
d.
See attached placard
7.
Load cargo in accordance with the following shipping limitations:
AIR
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Passenger Aircraft
Forbidden
Cargo Aircraft
330 pounds (150kg)
WATER
8.
[IF gas contains H2S, Forbidden]
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Cargo and Passenger
Vessels
May be stowed on the weather deck or under deck
[IF gas contains H2S, must be stowed on deck]
Other Requirements
Stow Clear of Living Quarters
Include MSDS with shipment
Version 2, October 2011
Page 3 of 11
Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions:NATURAL GAS (Containing H2S)
1.
a.
b.
2.
Package Natural gas as follows:
a.
Ship natural gas test cylinders in the transportation case to protect the valves. This
complies with method (2) below. DOT accepts four methods of cylinder valve
protection:
(1)
Securely attached metal caps
(2)
Boxing or crating to give proper protection to valves
(3)
Constructing container so that valve is recessed into the container
(4)
Securing cylinder compactly and in upright position [valve on top]
Call or FAX Dock/Base to schedule shipment.
Contact owner/vendor to schedule pick up of material.
If multiple methods are used, such as metal caps and upright position, all methods
used are subject to inspection.
b.
If cylinder has a retest date, the retest must not be overdue.
c.
The pressure in the container at 70° F. must not exceed the service pressure for
which the container is marked or designated.
Below 50% H2S:
The following are DOT approved cylinders. For cylinders not marked with a service
pressure, the service pressure is designated by DOT as follows:
Specification
3, 3E
4
25
33
38
Service Pressure (psig) at 70°F.
1800
300
300
480
250
The following cylinder specifications require that the service pressure must be
marked on the cylinder.
Specification
4, 4A, 4B, 4BA, 4BW, 4C
3A, 3AA, 3B, 3C, 3D
26
All others
Service Pressure (psig) at 70°F.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Service pressure must be marked on cylinder.
Continued on next page
Version 2, October 2011
Page 4 of 11
Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions:
NATURAL GAS (Containing H2S)
(continued)
Above 50% H2S:
The following are DOT approved cylinders for hydrogen sulfide. Cylinders marked as
shown in this column or of the same type with a higher service pressure must be
used except as provided in 49 CFR 173.34 (a), (b) and 49 CFR 373.301(j) (see notes
following table)
Specification
DOT-3A480
DOT-3AA480
DOT-3B480
DOT-4A480
DOT-4B480
DOT-4BA480
DOT-3BW480
DOT-26-480
DOT-3E1800
DOT-3AL480
Service Pressure (psig) at 70°F.
480
480
480
480
480
480
480
480
1800
480
Secure cylinder valve cap when applicable. For hydrogen sulfide, each valve outlet
must be sealed by a threaded cap or a threaded solid plug. (49 CFR 304, Note 10)
3.
d.
Except for cylinders with a valve on the top and on the bottom, secure bottles in a
standing position only.
e.
DO NOT STORE NEXT TO OXIDIZERS.
Mark Package:
a.
The marking is dependent on concentration of H 2S:

For H2S concentration below 14.24% (142,400 ppm):
“Natural gas, compressed (contains hydrogen sulfide),” 2.1, UN 1971

For H2S concentrations >14.24% (142,400 ppm) and <23.73% (237,333
ppm): “Compressed gas, toxic, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains
hydrogen sulfide), Inhalation Hazard Zone D, 2.3, UN 3305”

For H2S concentrations >23.73% (237,333 ppm) and <71.20% (712,000
ppm): “Compressed gas, toxic, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains
hydrogen sulfide), Inhalation Hazard Zone C, 2.3, UN 3305”
Continued on next page
Version 2, October 2011
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Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions:
NATURAL GAS (Containing H2S)
(continued)
b.

For H2S concentrations concentrations >71.2% (712,000 ppm):
“Compressed gas, toxic, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains hydrogen
sulfide), Inhalation Hazard Zone B, 2.3, UN 3305”
or “Hydrogen Sulfide, Inhalation Hazard Zone B, 2.3, UN1053

For H2S concentrations <71.2% (712,000 ppm) and >50% (500,000 ppm) ,
the marking may also be: “Hydrogen Sulfide, Inhalation Hazard Zone C, 2.3,
UN1053
Stencil Container -“Apache” and the generator’s location (i.e. Eugene Island 158)
4.
Label Package:
a. "Flammable Gas" label near the marking in 3.a.
b. “Corrosive” label near the marking in 3.a.
c. “Poisonous Gas” label near the marking in 3.a. (only for H2S concentrations above
14.24% or 142,400 ppm).
5.
Prepare shipping papers:
a.
Complete entry in Hazardous Materials Section [Section I] of the Apache Shipping
Manifest (See example). One of the material descriptions in b., below shall be
entered in a blank line of section I.
In the column labeled "Emergency Response Guide":
 For UN number 1971, enter the number 115
 For UN number 3305, enter the number 119
 For UN number 1053, enter the number 117 (See example)
b.
The entry on the shipping paper is dependent on concentration of H 2S:

For H2S concentration below 14.24% (142,400 ppm):
“Natural gas, compressed, 2.1, UN 1971”

For H2S concentrations >14.24% (142,400 ppm) and <23.73% (237,333 ppm):
“Compressed gas, toxic, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains hydrogen sulfide),
Inhalation Hazard Zone D, 2.3, UN 3305”

For H2S concentrations >23.73% (237,333 ppm) and <71.20% (712,000 ppm):
“Compressed gas, toxic, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains hydrogen sulfide),
Inhalation Hazard Zone C, 2.3, UN 3305”
Continued on next page
Version 2, October 2011
Page 6 of 11
Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Shipping Instructions:
NATURAL GAS (Containing H2S)
(continued)

For H2S concentrations >71.2% (712,000 ppm):
“Compressed gas, toxic, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains hydrogen sulfide),
Inhalation Hazard Zone B, 2.3, UN 3305” or “Hydrogen Sulfide, Inhalation Hazard
Zone B, 2.3, UN1053

For H2S concentrations <71.2% (712,000 ppm) and >50% (500,000 ppm) , the
marking may also be: “Hydrogen Sulfide, Inhalation Hazard Zone C, 2.3,
UN1053
6.
Placard Vehicle/Vessel:
a.
For cargoes of more than 1000 pounds:
 “Flammable Gas" Placard with UN number 3305 and the number "2" in the lower
corner.
 “Poison Gas" Placard with UN number 3305 and the number "2" in the lower
corner.
 “Corrosive" Placard with UN number 3305 and the number "8" in the lower
corner.
b.
For cargoes of 1000 pounds or less: No Placard required on transport vehicle.
c.
See attached placard
7.
Load cargo in accordance with the following shipping limitations:
AIR
RESTRICTIONS (49 CFR 172.101)
Passenger Aircraft
Forbidden
Cargo Aircraft
Forbidden
WATER
8.
RESTRICTIONS
Cargo vessels
Must be stowed on the deck only
Passenger vessels
Prohibited
Other Requirements
Stow Clear of Living Quarters
Include MSDS with shipment
Version 2, October 2011
Page 7 of 11
Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
LC
50
of Gas Mixture
Hazard Class
8000
7000
Not Considered toxic by the DOT in
concentrations of less than 14.24%
LC 50 of gas mixture
6000
5000
4000
Hazard Class D
3000
2000
1000
Hazard Class C
Hazard Class B
0
0 142,000
(14.24%)
237,333
(23.73%)
712,000
(71.2%)
1,000,000
H2S ppm
Version 2, October 2011
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Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Version 2, October 2011
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Gulf Coast Shelf Region
Waste Management Procedures
Version 2, October 2011
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Waste Management Procedures
Version 2, October 2011
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