Lightning Protection for Oil & Gas Facilities

The oil and gas industry operates in environments where lightning protection isn't about equipment damage or downtime — it's about preventing catastrophic events. A lightning strike to an inadequately protected facility in a classified hazardous area can ignite flammable atmospheres, trigger explosions, and cause loss of life.

Aetheric provides specialized engineering for the full spectrum — offshore platforms, onshore refineries, storage terminals, LNG facilities, and pipeline systems. Our designs integrate with existing safety frameworks: hazardous area classification, cathodic protection, bonding networks, and API RP 2003.

Hazardous Area Compliance

• Zone 0, 1, 2 classification per IEC 60079 / AS/NZS 60079
• SPDs rated for explosion-proof or increased-safety enclosures
• All protection components appropriate for zone classification
• Ignition risk assessment for lightning-related scenarios

Cathodic Protection Integration

• Earthing design that doesn't compromise cathodic protection systems
• Isolation and bonding strategies for pipelines and storage tanks
• Decoupling device specification where cathodic/lightning systems interact

Facility-Specific Challenges

• Offshore platforms — marine environment exposure, limited earthing options, structural steel bonding
• Refineries — complex process unit protection, flare stack earthing, control room SPD coordination
• Storage terminals — tank farm protection, floating roof bonding, loading/unloading area safety
• Pipelines — above-ground section protection, cathodic protection coordination, valve station earthing