API RP 49:2001 (R2013)

Recommendations set forth in this publication apply to oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations involving hydrogen sulfide. These operations include well drilling, completion, servicing, workover, downhole maintenance, and plug and abandonment procedures conducted with hydrogen sulfide present in the fluids being handled. Coverage of this publication is applicable to operations confined to the original wellbore or original total depth and applies to the selection of materials for installation or use in the well and in the well drilling or servicing operation(s). The presence of hydrogen sulfide in these operations also presents the possibility of exposure to sulfur dioxide from the combustion of hydrogen sulfide. Refer to Section 4 for applicability of this standard. This standard addresses personnel training, personnel protective equipment, contingency planning and emergency procedures, classification of locations, materials and equipment, operations, rig practices, special operations, offshore operations, characteristics of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, and evaluation and selection of hydrogen sulfide monitoring equipment.